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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Judge removed from Texas track meet stabbing case as defendant Karmelo Anthony seeks a new trial
SUMMARY: The trial judge who presided over the case of Texas teenager convicted of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old athlete at a high school track meet was ordered removed from the case as the defendant seeks a new trial and appeals his conviction. Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury in June rejected his claims of self-defense during a confrontation with Austin Metcalf last year. Anthony’s legal team argued Wednesday that a retrial was warranted in part because state District Judge John Roach enforced overly strict courtroom rules and gave an interview after the trial was over. A new judge will be assigned for Thursday’s hearing on the retrial request.
WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrackMeetStudentKilledthLdWritethru/5526b6ba91035724814c2beeab4bd4fb/text___
Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities
SUMMARY: Millions more people may be able to get smaller, lightweight Amazon packages delivered by drones by the end of the year under a plan the company announced Wednesday to expand the airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S. cities. Amazon said in news release that customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes, The drones can carry packages up to five pounds. The plan will intensify the battle between Amazon and Walmart to provide consumers with the fastest delivery times. Amazon’s plan would expand drone delivery into hundreds of new communities, including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise areas.
WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAmazonDroneDeliveryExpansionstLdWritethru/20db399ba65e8bc36a76b547f990b118/text___
Crews work to restore power to thousands after Lala raked Hawaii
SUMMARY: Recovery efforts are underway in Hawaii after Tropical Storm Lala battered the archipelago and caused destructive flooding and widespread power outages. The storm on Tuesday was moving west far from the islands. Lala skirted the islands Sunday before weakening from a hurricane to a tropical storm. Officials say the storm caused one death. Hawaiian Electric says crews were working overnight to restore power to thousands. The utility says inspections are showing significant damage. Authorities say many large trees fell in Maui’s upcountry region and toppled power lines and damaged infrastructure. Officials say crews on the Big Island were working to clear and restore roads.
WORDS: 387 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 11:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSStormRecoveryHawaiistLdWritethru/7f6fc2cb95baf0c523fa7546e6a0ddc7/text___
Florida carries out its 13th execution of the year on a man convicted of killing estranged wife
SUMMARY: A Florida man convicted of fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-law has been executed. Tuesday’s lethal injection continued the state’s aggressive use of the death penalty under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. William Frances Silvia was pronounced dead Tuesday evening following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He’s the 13th prisoner put to death this year in Florida, which has two more executions scheduled in September. Florida has carried out more than half of the nation’s 23 executions to date in 2026. Silvia was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder for the 2006 attack on his estranged wife, Patricia Silvia, and her mother.
WORDS: 641 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFloridaExecutionthLdWritethru/9ece9e5bba0484cdd83e53fd0918145a/text___
Minnesota attorney general sues Texas governor to compel extradition of ICE agent for trial
SUMMARY: Minnesota's attorney general is suing the governor of Texas, asking a federal judge to compel the extradition of a federal immigration agent charged with wounding a man and then lying about it during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Attorney General Keith Ellison says Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not signed papers to extradite Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro since his arrest in Texas in May. Abbott said he won't respond to extradition requests from Minnesota until the state acknowledges fault in ongoing fraud investigations Trump used to justify his immigration surge there.
WORDS: 991 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementMinnesotathLdWritethru/461acb1a459bc0ecb41fef5f728df502/text___
Some Tupac Shakur family members step out of courtroom while others stay to face autopsy photos
SUMMARY: Some members of Tupac Shakur's family left the courtroom before prosecutors showed autopsy photos at the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. Davis is charged with orchestrating Shakur's 1996 fatal shooting in Las Vegas. A forensic pathologist on Tuesday described Shakur's bullet wounds. Shakur died six days after being shot. The prosecution says Davis planned the shooting in retaliation for his nephew's beating earlier that night. His lawyer called the prosecution's narrative “fiction.” Jurors saw video of Shakur’s entourage attacking Davis’ nephew hours before the shooting. Davis could face life in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.
WORDS: 1184 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 5:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTupacTrialthLdWritethru/2a87380f91ad6759cb500311b73396ed/text___
Congresswoman says target of ICE operation in fatal Maine shooting wasn't up for removal
SUMMARY: A Democratic congresswoman says the person Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeted in Maine last month when an officer shot and killed a motorist was not subject to a final removal order. Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national, was shot and killed by an ICE agent in a car near his Biddeford home on July 13. Rep. Chellie Pingree said during a hearing in Maine on Monday that ICE’s intended target was Durán Guerrero’s roommate. Pingree called the discovery a shocking revelation in contradiction to what ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have said about the shooting.
WORDS: 425 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 7:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSICEShootingMainestLdWritethru/ddc5f02f0bc89982fb64171b79122bff/text___
Penn State frat pledges were made to cut and bag cocaine for college drug ring, authorities say
SUMMARY: Authorities have charged 14 people in connection with a drug ring at Penn State. The group allegedly ran the operation out of two off-campus fraternity houses. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges on Monday. The drug ring reportedly operated in 2023 and 2024, using fraternity pledges to cut and package cocaine. The drugs were distributed through Penn State students. Four people face serious charges, including conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension. Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and is not subject to its oversight.
WORDS: 510 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:47 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSPennStateDrugRingndLdWritethru/f78b51c445a680ffa260337e3500e5aa/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Americans have elected only 3 Black governors. This year, 8 major party candidates are on the ballot
SUMMARY: Florida Republicans have settled on Byron Donalds, a congressman, as their candidate for governor, and that now makes eight Black major party nominees for governors this year. Maryland’s Wes Moore is the only Black governor now and he's seeking reelection in November. The Democrat is just the third elected Black governor in U.S. history. All have been Democrats and men. The November slate includes Democrats and Republicans, men and women. The nominees are promoting their experience and ideas for all constituents. But many say the possibility of expanded representation matters, given the nation’s history and the current environment surrounding issues of race and racism.
WORDS: 1273 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 1:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionsBlackGovernorsrdLdWritethru/33e123ecc14b623abed4fa0906942614/text___
'No serious dispute' that Comey's seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say
SUMMARY: The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey and says there's "no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors late Tuesday also called into question Comey’s account that he found the seashells in the numerical arrangement “86 47” while walking on a North Carolina beach. Trump is the 47th president. Prosecutors say Comey intended a physical threat or knew that the number 86 could suggest violence. Comey's legal team calls it a vindictive prosecution and says Comey’s post didn't amount to a true threat.
WORDS: 960 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 11:51 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJusticeDepartmentComeythLdWritethru/264e3a178525ebd8fee051771948709e/text___
National security question trips up Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina debate
SUMMARY: Sen. Darline Graham, running in South Carolina's runoff election, stumbled over a foreign policy question during a debate. When asked about Taiwan and the South China Sea on Tuesday night, she admitted, “national security is not my thing.” Graham was appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey's seat after his unexpected death on July 11. She's now running against Rep. Ralph Norman in a special election. Her brother was known for his foreign policy work, which she referenced by highlighting his Air Force service. President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham. She and Norman advanced to the runoff in last week's primary.
WORDS: 832 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:29 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSouthCarolinastLdWritethru/5b045abd68cc4aa350177b5d1c6ee650/text___
Democratic socialist Angie Nixon won Tuesday's primary in Florida. Can she win in November?
SUMMARY: Florida Democratic voters have delivered a shock upset by nominating democratic socialist state Rep. Angie Nixon over moderate Alex Vindman, a former national security professional. Democrats have struggled to craft a resonant message in Florida, a diverse and dynamic state. Nixon's win sets up a long-shot challenge to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a former state attorney general. The race has inflamed tensions within the Democratic Party over how to energize liberal voters without alienating independents. Nixon, backed by progressive figures, has championed policies like universal healthcare. Her victory is seen as a sign of growing momentum for progressives in the region.
WORDS: 574 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 2:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionFloridaSenate/65380b9f11e406198569c830b10507b7/text___
Election takeaways: Donalds joins historic field and progressive scores upset victory in Florida
SUMMARY: Democratic voters have elevated a progressive Senate candidate in Florida, while Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Donald Trump, won the GOP nomination as he vies to become the first Black governor of the state. This mixed outcome comes as Republican-led redistricting efforts have scrambled congressional maps. Tuesday's contests in Florida, Alaska, Wyoming and California will shape the fiercely contested midterms this fall. Donalds joins a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees across the country. Meanwhile, longtime U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won a diverse, redistricted Florida seat. The internal battle between progressive and establishment candidates continues to play out with mixed results.
WORDS: 1363 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionTakeawaysthLdWritethru/63e620b06acba77102cfe32781bd4efa/text___
US Rep Byron Donalds wins GOP nod for Florida governor against Ex-Rep David Jolly for the Democrats
SUMMARY: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds has won the Republican nomination for Florida governor and former Rep. David Jolly has picked up the Democratic nod, setting the stage for a fall campaign to replace outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis and decide the state's future political direction. Donalds would become Florida's first Black governor if elected. Jolly is a former Republican congressman who switched parties last year. Also Tuesday, progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon won the Democratic nomination and will face the GOP pick, Sen. Ashley Moody, in a special election for the last two years of Marco Rubio's Senate term. Rubio left the Senate last year to become secretary of state.
WORDS: 1026 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionFloridathLdWritethru/917984c2f08603498180e824cd7304ad/text___
US Navy destroyer with 300 sailors aboard broke down for four days in the Pacific
SUMMARY: The Navy has confirmed that a destroyer with about 300 sailors aboard suffered a major breakdown in the Pacific Ocean last month that left it without power for four days. Navy spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer said in a statement that the USS Benfold “reported an engineering casualty involving its generators, causing a loss of power” on July 24. The breakdown meant the crew went without drinking water, meals, functioning toilets and air conditioning for four days. The incident only became public on Friday when it was first reported by USNI News. It comes as the Pentagon grapples with serious questions about the quality of life aboard naval vessels and the military’s ability to supply ships during the conflict with Iran.
WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 8:21 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNavyDestroyer/87c0ee18a1641e9a993590368363e148/text___
What to know about the fake election poll numbers shared and retracted by a mysterious company
SUMMARY: A mysterious political firm admitted to fabricating multiple election polls this month. None of the fake results from a company called Median Strategies appeared in Associated Press coverage. The surveys claimed to evaluate support in the Democratic primary for governor in Wisconsin, the gubernatorial race in Nevada and the mayoral race in Los Angeles. The California poll was shared by Mayor Karen Bass' campaign on social media and covered by local news outlets. The disclosure offers a cautionary tale about the perils of trusting unvetted polling.
WORDS: 1198 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 10:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionPollsstLdWritethru/669c90cc77664546791185625d43ffda/text___
AP Interview: Ralph Norman questions Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham in South Carolina runoff
SUMMARY: U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman says it’s a “head scratcher” that President Donald Trump endorsed Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff. Norman says in an interview with The Associated Press that his experience in Congress and business is why South Carolina Republicans should choose him as their Senate candidate to replace Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly last month. Norman has consistently supported President Donald Trump’s priorities but backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over Trump in the 2024 primary. Trump endorsed Darline Graham, sister of the late senator. Norman questions Darline Graham's readiness for the role, citing her limited media engagement and reluctance to debate. The runoff is Aug. 25.
WORDS: 1309 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 6:56 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSouthCarolinaNormanstLdWritethru/72ee10ba47152f1306e0f51803839cb4/text___
Senator presses Hegseth, Caine for commitment to keep US military out of the midterm elections
SUMMARY: Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to confirm that he won’t send troops to polling places during the midterm elections. Federal law typically prohibits the military from deploying armed forces at election locations. But concerns are growing among Democrats that President Donald Trump may try to use the military to intimidate voters or seize voting machines. The Michigan senator also sent her letter to Gen.. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Pentagon said in an email that it will respond directly to Slotkin. The Joint Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WORDS: 420 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionMilitary/f1f7d71f7874eecc08db52e80a715bcb/text___
Preservation group urges Supreme Court to suspend Trump's White House ballroom project
SUMMARY: A historic preservation group that sued to block construction of President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend the project while it considers whether the work can continue. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its request on Tuesday, less than a week after the Trump administration asked the nation’s highest court to allow the White House to continue construction on its $400 million ballroom project. The building of the 90,000-square-foot ballroom has included demolishing the East Wing of the White House. The petition comes after a divided appeals court panel upheld an order to pause aboveground construction on the project.
WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 5:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpWhiteHouseBallroomstLdWritethru/2ee96a39ce83d78b037e8620c092f7d3/text___
ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat'
SUMMARY: ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights. Tuesday's lawsuit was a sharp escalation of the network's battle against what it sees as the administration's efforts to police its content. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has defended his agency’s actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest.” The FCC launched a review in April of eight ABC-owned broadcast licenses years before they expire. The order came after a joke by ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel infuriated President Donald Trump.
WORDS: 1012 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 1:33 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMediaABCFCCKimmelthLdWritethru/8c379d4d4dc90e97a8ef57371f203bfa/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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North Korea shrugs off Trump's scaled-back drills with South Korea, saying it changes nothing
SUMMARY: North Korea says the U.S. decision to scale back military exercises with South Korea doesn't change what it views as the provocative nature of the drills. This dampens hopes for renewed diplomacy between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, made the comments Wednesday night, shrugging off the decision to scale back the drills. The U.S. and South Korea confirmed they were scaling back joint drills. Experts warn this move could weaken the U.S.-South Korean defense posture.
WORDS: 1298 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 12:53 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASKoreasUSthLdWritethru/313e01e4ee305b4c9b1b8bf12643fb17/text___
What to know about the outbreak of a rare kind of Ebola
SUMMARY: An Ebola outbreak in Congo has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases. That makes it one of the largest ever recorded. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus. The rare type of Ebola has no approved vaccine or treatment. Congo’s Ministry of Health recorded 5,021 cases including 2,378 deaths as of Sunday. The World Health Organization warns it could surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak which killed more than 11,000 people. Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids but not through the air. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and bleeding. The outbreak began in Ituri province and has spread to neighboring areas.
WORDS: 1013 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 3:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFMEDCongoEbolaWhattoKnow/bcd974a1bc8e24b111668fdeccaa04f6/text___
Ukrainian man arrested over 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions
SUMMARY: A Ukrainian man wanted in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions has been arrested in Croatia. German prosecutors say the suspect, a trained scuba diver, was part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines in the Baltic Sea. The explosions damaged the pipelines, which were built to carry Russian gas to Germany, adding to tensions over the war in Ukraine. The suspect, identified as Volodymyr Zhuravlov, was previously arrested in Poland but released when a court refused extradition. Another suspect, a former Ukrainian army officer, was charged last month in Germany.
WORDS: 639 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 9:42 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUGermanyNordStreamArrestthLdWritethru/b53e8345e4e9c1125324806d83041f9d/text___
Israeli military launches criminal probes into killings of Hind Rajab and Palestinian paramedics
SUMMARY: Israel’s military has announced its first criminal investigations into troop conduct in the Gaza war. The focus is on the killings of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family trapped in a vehicle, and of 15 Palestinian paramedics. The military says it will not investigate three other attacks that killed aid workers with World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders. The announcement follows reviews of 150 incidents. The military's statement does not mention many other high-profile killings that Israel has pledged to investigate during the war, such as a hospital strike that killed five journalists including one who freelanced for the AP.
WORDS: 1041 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 11:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastGazaMilitaryInvestigationthLdWritethru/c0a733a3ac78660b474e5bdb47154f8b/text___
Zelenskyy fires a top aide amid a graft probe as Ukraine's ex-defense minister demands elections
SUMMARY: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired a senior official amid a corruption investigation involving a deputy head of the presidential office. This development Wednesday follows the recent dismissal of the defense minister, who is calling for national elections in a direct challenge to Zelenskyy despite Russia's 4-year-old full-scale invasion. The graft investigation centers on money laundering linked to a major corruption case. Although Zelenskyy isn't implicated, the situation poses a political challenge. Ukraine has seen military successes in recent months but is struggling to counter Moscow's missile attacks. Amid the political tensions, U.S.-led peace efforts have been rebuffed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
WORDS: 948 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 7:29 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/8c808244dcf51217027ebc97dba01761/text___
Congo’s Ebola outbreak reaches 5,000 cases as it outpaces response efforts at unprecedented speed
SUMMARY: The Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 5,000 cases as responders warn it is spreading at an unprecedented speed outpacing efforts to slow it in one of the country’s remotest regions. Data from Congo’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday shows the outbreak has so far recorded 5,021 cases, including 2,378 deaths as of Sunday. It is raging in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable fueled by insecurity, displacement and intense population movements. The outbreak has infected and killed more people at a greater speed than any other outbreak in history.
WORDS: 650 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 8:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolandLdWritethru/e5206f4fbfc5a85257c6039136a470f5/text___
United Arab Emirates suspends trade with Iran after coming under renewed missile fire
SUMMARY: The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade with Iran after it said it had come under renewed fire from the country. That will further isolate the Islamic Republic. The country is already suffering under U.S. sanctions and a blockade. Incoming ballistic missile fire triggered nationwide warnings Tuesday night for UAE residents to seek shelter. It was the first time in weeks such an alarm had sounded. Early in the conflict, the UAE regularly came under intense fire from Iran, and most trade between the countries ground to a halt. It was not clear how much trade there was more recently.
WORDS: 873 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:56 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSndLdWritethru/47c95fe382c49289ab0419310b6d8057/text___
Jason Arday's death sparks UK debate over academic rigor, racism after media 'frenzy'
SUMMARY: Jason Arday, who was once celebrated as Cambridge University’s youngest Black professor, was found dead last week after weeks of news stories presenting evidence that he was a plagiarist and fabulist. His death quickly led to criticism of Cambridge for elevating Arday in a rush to promote diversity, despite red flags about his qualifications, and of the news media for driving him to despair when his credentials and life story began to unravel under intense scrutiny. The public attention was partly fueled by the impending publication of Arday’s memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things.”
WORDS: 1291 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:57 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainCambridgeProfessorndLdWritethru/ec1d14a8e40a74e16ab5a0363f7dc623/text___
Mobile gold miners in eastern Congo complicate health workers' efforts to contain Ebola
SUMMARY: Eleven-year-old Isaac Batisa searches for gold at a mining site in eastern Congo to help feed his family. The site is in Ituri province, the epicenter of a fast-growing Ebola outbreak. Miners work with few protections against the virus, and there are no hand-washing stations. Hundreds, including children, work at the mine, fleeing violence and hardship. The constant movement of miners complicates efforts to contain the virus. Ituri accounts for about 90% of Congo’s Ebola cases. The outbreak has killed over 2,300 people among at least 5,000 cases. Community workers struggle to reach mining sites to educate people about Ebola.
WORDS: 1242 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:39 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolaMinersstLdWritethru/bf0ebdd8b41f4276b839e7f79a2df381/text___
China successfully recovers rocket stage on land for the first time
SUMMARY: China has successfully recaptured the first stage of a rocket on land for the first time, state media reports, as the country seeks to advance its space program. Although this marks China’s first successful recovery on land, it is the second time the country has recovered a rocket stage, following a successful recovery on a sea platform in July. Wednesday's rocket stage recovery is also China's first use of deployable landing legs. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have been recovering rockets since 2015, helping drive down launch costs by reusing hardware that would otherwise be discarded after carrying satellites and other payloads toward space.
WORDS: 238 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 3:33 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaSpacestLdWritethru/7280ab07f29771e2034a917ff679e1a6/text___
Trump says US has no talks planned with Iran and other news from the Middle East
SUMMARY: U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. has no planned talks with Iran but insists the Strait of Hormuz remains open. This comes after a reported strike on a ship exiting the waterway and as Iran and Oman say they are close to a deal to reopen the waterway. Trump threatened to bomb Oman earlier this week as the country tried to reach a deal. Iran says the waterway will not reopen until the U.S. meets its conditions. Shipping data platform Kpler says transits fell nearly 20% through the Strait of Hormuz last week.
WORDS: 1108 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 8:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastthLdWritethru/9c48af23b713709e8e170191fbc78c2a/text___
A warehouse burns near Moscow. In Ukraine, drone crews prepare to strike again
SUMMARY: Ukrainian drones have targeted a major logistics center outside Moscow, setting it ablaze. The fire was still burning the following day. The attack is part of Ukraine's strategy to strike deep inside Russia, hitting military and industrial sites. On Sunday, the Ukrainian 413th “Raid” Unmanned Systems Regiment launched drones from a sunflower field in southern Ukraine. The Associated Press observed the operation, which aims to pressure Russia into peace talks. Kyiv has increased drone and missile attacks this year, impacting Russian air defenses and morale. The regiment's commander, Yevhen Karas, believes these strikes highlight the war's cost to ordinary Russians.
WORDS: 766 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarDroneRegiment/8d9eb77fc5fc29c4771503b75f98b1f4/text___
Liberia agrees to take 1,200 third-country deportees from the US
SUMMARY: Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the United States, according to authorities in the West African country. The deportees will be received within a year, with the first group of 20 expected on Thursday. Liberia’s Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah, said the deportees will include Africans as well as nationals from North America, South America, and the Caribbean. This arrangement is part of a broader U.S. policy under the Trump administration aimed at deterring illegal migration. Liberia will receive support from the U.S. to manage the program and strengthen its migration system.
WORDS: 360 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 7:19 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFLiberiaUSDeporteesthLdWritethru/fc41b96abc6f26a9b780ce871b269951/text___
Gold mine collapses in Central African Republic, killing at least 30 miners
SUMMARY: An artisanal gold mining site has collapsed in the western part of Central African Republic, killing at least 30 miners. The collapse occurred Tuesday morning in the Abba region of the Nana-Mambere prefecture. Authorities and residents report that rescuers are searching for additional miners believed to be trapped. Florian Gaguende, one of the surviving miners, said the chances of finding them alive are getting slimmer. The sub-prefecture's deputy mayor, Souleymane Bi, said rescuers and residents managed to pull 30 bodies from under the pit over several hours. Those injured are receiving treatment.
WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 8:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCentralAfricanRepublicMineCollapsendLdWritethru/2dd23d99e8f28b4e8736da7bc0e01f71/text___
Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?
SUMMARY: U.S. President Donald Trump is angry with Oman over its talks with Iran about managing the Strait of Hormuz that lies between the countries. Trump this week threatened to bomb the sultanate if it “gets in the way.” This comes as Trump faces pressure over his promises for a quick war and a weakened Iran. Talks between the U.S. and Iran have stalled, while Oman and Iran continue discussions. Oman had been trying to mediate peace but is now caught between the powers. It's unclear if Trump's threat will impact Oman’s negotiations with Iran as global economic pressures grow as well.
WORDS: 905 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastOmanExplainerstLdWritethru/097224f5a65b66d7fa3dab4862b5a45e/text___
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BUSINESS
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US stocks look to halt their 3-day slide as pressure from the bond market eases
SUMMARY: U.S. stocks are ticking higher after the U.S. Treasury Department said it may buy more U.S. government bonds, which eased pressure on financial markets worldwide. Strong profit reports for the spring from Estee Lauder and other U.S. companies also helped support the stock market Wednesday. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% and is on track for its first gain in four days after setting its all-time high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 169 points, and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.5%. Treasury yields eased after the Treasury Department said it will at least double the size of its planned purchases of longer-term Treasurys.
WORDS: 774 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 3:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/9e355be634e4a21059fc1d1f20a1239e/text___
Shares in Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree soar in its Shanghai trading debut
SUMMARY: Shares of Unitree, one of China's largest humanoid robot makers, have soared as much as 629% in its public stock trading debut in Shanghai. At market close, they had gained 460%. The company raised about $900 million in its listing on the Nasdaq-style STAR market. Advanced robotics is a key sector in the technology rivalry between China and the U.S. Last year, Unitree shipped over 5,000 humanoid robots, leading U.S. counterparts, according to industry data. While overseas sales account for more than 40% of Unitree's overall revenue, a U.S. ban on new foreign-made robots could hinder its future sales in the United States.
WORDS: 561 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaUnitreeIPOndLdWritethru/f33facc61122faf0c0b08af5020bd170/text___
Trump says US and Canada have reached last-minute deal to delay 50% US tariffs on Canadian imports
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says he is delaying the 50% U.S. tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports after the two countries reached a last-minute deal hours before the sanctions were to go into effect. The announcement, which Trump made late Tuesday on his social media platform, buys time for more negotiations and avoids, for now, another strain in already tense relations between the historic allies. Trump said he had paused the tariffs “based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump’s import taxes would have hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.
WORDS: 793 - MOVED: 08/17/2026 10:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCanadaTariffsthLdWritethru/aae597c22617bec7a99f670a2c787ef9/text___
Trial for Meta begins with states arguing its platforms preyed on vulnerability of young brains
SUMMARY: Opening statements started Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy. The other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. Meta said in a statement that it believes it has a strong case.
WORDS: 1023 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMetaTrialthLdWritethru/2b617764a8ddc4846f74f59d0c4516b8/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Trump picks Dr. Heidi Overton, a top White House aide, to lead the Food and Drug Administration
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has picked Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Overton is a deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and a trusted figure in Trump's administration. Overton has worked on several of Trump's health initiatives. But the new FDA commissioner will face challenges balancing Trump's priorities, traditional Republican interests and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-corporate stance. Overton will need Senate confirmation and face questions from the Senate health committee. The previous FDA head, Dr. Marty Makary, resigned in May, leaving unfinished projects like work on ultra-processed foods, antidepressants and COVID-19 shots.
WORDS: 1025 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFDACommissionerthLdWritethru/a54907d62a2482bd462410c0778266b9/text___
Telescope spies the fastest star in the Milky Way zipping around a black hole
SUMMARY: A telescope has spotted the fastest known star in the Milky Way. It's zipping around the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Scientists say it harnesses the power of the black hole's gravity to fly faster without falling in. There are several hundred stars that closely orbit this black hole and are sensitive to its pull, but the newfound star also feels the effects of the black hole's rotation. Studying how it moves could help clue scientists into the black hole's mysterious properties, including its spin rate. The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
WORDS: 355 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 3:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSCIFastestStarBlackHole/dafcfb293c33bcfc7999b411a015a0eb/text___
Before-and-after NASA images show crater carved by a SpaceX rocket that slammed into the moon
SUMMARY: A NASA spacecraft circling the moon is providing the sharpest views yet of the crater carved by a crashing SpaceX rocket. The space agency on Tuesday released before-and-after photos of the impact area. The Falcon rocket's upper stage plowed into the moon two weeks ago after drifting through space for more than a year. It launched a pair of private moon landers in 2025 as part of NASA's push to commercialize lunar exploration. Scientists say based on these new photos, the fresh crater appears to be 60 feet across and less than 10 feet deep.
WORDS: 324 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 9:38 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCISpaceXMoonCrashstLdWritethru/52b76d61289c06b7d32348b082a8e6b8/text___
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RELIGION
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In Israel, military service debate spotlights ultra-Orthodox Jews and their growing clout
SUMMARY: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish families are an unmissable facet of Israeli life. The numbers and the political and cultural clout of the adherents of this practice of Judaism are continuing to grow. That’s bringing their vision of faith, Jewish identity and civic practices on a collision course with that of other religious and especially secular Israelis. Mass protests over proposed changes to the exemption from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men highlight the most contentious issue as the country approaches three years of war on multiple fronts and national elections. At the core of ultra-Orthodox doctrine is the belief that studying scripture is a higher duty than any other, including working or fighting.
WORDS: 1272 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLRELIsraelUltraOrthodox/570857b82b2d83cf46efcc246faa8ab9/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Frank Beard, drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77
SUMMARY: Frank Beard, the drummer for ZZ Top, has died at 77. He passed away Tuesday at his ranch in Richmond, Texas, with family by his side. ZZ Top sold over 50 million records and had six No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The band, formed in 1969, was known for hits like “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” They maintained their original lineup for over five decades. Their unique style and humor made them popular in Hollywood and MTV. Beard is survived by his wife, Debbie Meredith, and three children.
WORDS: 1017 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 8:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTObitFrankBeardthLdWritethru/72139238d1dbf3d277bdb3b8584eecc9/text___
Hayden Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says
SUMMARY: Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the South Carolina apartment where the actor died over the weekend. That is according to a police report released Tuesday. A Greenville police officer who responded to the residence Sunday afternoon was met by the brothers and then observed paramedics performing CPR on an unresponsive woman. No cause has been determined, and her death remains under investigation. An autopsy found no signs of trauma, and officers saw no signs of foul play. The onetime child star, who soared to fame in the TV shows “Heroes” and “Nashville” while enduring struggles with addiction, would have turned 37 on Friday.
WORDS: 917 - MOVED: 08/18/2026 8:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTHaydenPanettierendLdWritethru/e4f24b524926a7ff419b84f3d05810ea/text___
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