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.
——————————
UNITED STATES
——————————
US--TROPICAL WEATHER-HAWAII
Hawaii’s Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in
SUMMARY: Tropical Storm Lala is already whipping and soaking Hawaii’s Big Island and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane Saturday. The National Hurricane Center has issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, and if it does make landfall, that would be a first since 1871. Tropical storm force winds are already lashing the island, and forecasters say higher elevations could get as much as 25 inches of rain, which could cause life-threatening mudslides. Many people live off the grid in improvised housing in the area, and authorities are urging them to find safe shelters quickly.
WORDS: 929 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 11:21 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c3d63c8a87943cdf8d57c530a7ed9d0&mediaType=text
___
US--VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY-SHOOTING
5 people shot at Virginia State University as police investigate multiple shooters
SUMMARY: A shooting involving multiple suspects and five people shot at Virginia State University prompted a campus lockdown early Saturday. The shooting happened near the university’s Quad Annexes, and both campus and Chesterfield County police are actively investigating. County police said officers discovered five people wounded from gunshots outside campus dormitories when they arrived. County police say the five were transported to hospitals, and one initially listed as having life-threatening injuries has been upgraded to critical condition. Police say the other injuries were not life-threatening. They say officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. and the lockdown was lifted at about 9 a.m.
WORDS: 310 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 10:25 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:783d5190d7fe0818fc27a98123311dc3&mediaType=text
___
US--TUPAC-TRIAL-WHAT TO KNOW
After nearly 30 years, a man is on trial in the fatal shooting of Tupac Shakur. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: The trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis for the murder of Tupac Shakur begins Monday in Las Vegas. Davis, 62, is accused of orchestrating the 1996 shooting of the iconic rapper. Prosecutors allege Davis provided the weapon used in the attack, which was reportedly an act of retaliation. Shakur was shot multiple times while riding in a car with Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight. Knight survived, but Shakur died six days later. The trial is expected to last about a month, with dozens of witnesses, including Knight, potentially taking the stand. Davis has pleaded not guilty.
WORDS: 1017 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 9:21 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4f0260f89d0b55647844d30559c309d3&mediaType=text
___
——————————
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
——————————
US--TRUMP-CARRIERS-PACIFIC
US pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s war against Iran is stretching the limits of the nation’s aircraft carriers and leaving the western Pacific without one of the key American warships. The USS George Washington is departing the Pacific and heading toward the Middle East. It’s expected to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment has raised concerns about mental health and supply issues aboard. The lack of a carrier in the Pacific may be short-lived. But it shows how the Trump administration is further retreating from the Asia-Pacific region and focusing on the Western Hemisphere.
WORDS: 1118 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 8:37 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:87cfb838de8c13464fa3cab1840ad87d&mediaType=text
___
US--ELECTION 2026-PRIMARY TURNOUT
Democratic primary turnout has soared in some states. Can it carry over to November?
SUMMARY: Democratic voters are turning out for this year’s primaries at levels not seen in more than 20 years. Michigan and Wisconsin saw midterm records, and large numbers of voters have turned out in Minnesota, Texas and Georgia. Competitive primary races have played a major role in the enthusiasm. Voter turnout in primary elections is an imperfect predictor of general election results, especially when one party has the more compelling early contests. Republicans say they’re responding with a major effort to turn out their voters in the fall. The numbers nevertheless offer Democrats an encouraging sign after being shut out of power in Washington two years ago.
WORDS: 1242 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 8:18 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19225a9c4e76b0830f8542fade68dfe3&mediaType=text
___
US--TRUMP-DODGING RESPONSIBILITY
The buck stops somewhere else: A look at Trump’s tendency to avoid blame when things go awry
SUMMARY: President Harry Truman famously kept a “The Buck Stops Here” sign on his White House desk. But the current president, Donald Trump, often veers from that motto of taking responsibility. The Republican has blamed his predecessors for continued inflation. As the unpopular war with Iran drags on, he says earlier presidents squandered years of chances to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. He says vandals are responsible for the problem-plagued renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. To some degree, all presidents try to shift responsibility. But no president in modern history has taken it as far as Trump has. The White House says Trump is working to correct long-festering challenges.
WORDS: 1283 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 7:52 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:305caf9eaeee3d479f099e2423de8741&mediaType=text
___
——————————
INTERNATIONAL
——————————
EU--BRITAIN-CAMBRIDGE PROFESSOR
UK’s leader calls for reflection after the death of former Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism
SUMMARY: Britain’s prime minister has called for reflection after the sudden death of Jason Arday, a Black professor at Cambridge University who faced plagiarism accusations. Arday, Cambridge’s youngest Black professor, was found dead in London on Friday. He resigned last week amid media scrutiny over plagiarism and questions about his achievements. His death has sparked outcries over alleged racism and hostility toward diversity policies. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Saturday described the death as a tragedy. Arday’s family claims he faced harassment and abuse. Police are treating the death as unexpected but not suspicious. Cambridge plans to review its hiring practices.
WORDS: 896 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 11:25 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b9e2463ca6b474ac90cc6196ed668238&mediaType=text
___
AS--INDONESIA-EARTHQUAKE
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia’s coast, killing at least 47 and toppling buildings
SUMMARY: A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck off Indonesia’s coast, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread panic. The quake early Saturday caused buildings to collapse and injured dozens of people. Authorities issued a tsunami warning, later lifted, as no significant sea-level changes were detected. The earthquake also hit the Flores region, triggering landslides and generating small tsunamis. The meteorological agency has recorded at least 235 aftershocks. The quake has caused severe damage and power outages, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities have deployed helicopters and a rescue vessel to support emergency operations.
WORDS: 958 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 10:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c31ad3cf07fa83d2d443e8d85e5c9d84&mediaType=text
___
AS--AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN-ANNIVERSARY
While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
SUMMARY: Taliban rulers have celebrated the fifth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan. They claim to have brought stability and ended decades of conflict. However, a top United Nations official warns of a grave human rights crisis, especially for women and girls. The Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021, after U.S. and NATO troops withdrew. They banned girls’ education beyond sixth grade and restricted women’s public participation. The Taliban government remains isolated internationally, with Russia being the only country to recognize it. The U.N. highlights ongoing human rights abuses, urging the international community not to normalize the Taliban’s policies.
WORDS: 845 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 9:55 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:86a28152904a402836daf5d68328f22c&mediaType=text
___
ML--LEBANON-ISRAEL
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 people, Health Ministry says
SUMMARY: Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 11 people, marking the deadliest attacks since a truce with Hezbollah began in June. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that one airstrike on the village of Ansar killed seven people, including three children. Another strike on Deir al-Zahrani killed four. On June 26, Israel and Lebanon announced a framework agreement for Israeli forces to withdraw in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the new airstrikes, calling for an end to the escalation. Israel’s military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
WORDS: 770 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 9:13 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1124fd2bd0b7ed76b0e97683dddbcaad&mediaType=text
___
EU--RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR
Ukraine attacks Russia’s Samara industrial site as Kyiv ramps up long-range strikes
SUMMARY: A large-scale Ukrainian attack strikes industrial infrastructure in Russia’s southwestern Samara region. Ivan Noskov, head of Samara, said air defense forces repelled a “massive” missile attack, causing “localized damage” to industrial sites. Medical assistance has been provided to those injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s forces targeted Samara’s Progress Center, using domestically produced Flamingo missiles. He emphasized the need for peace to be evident in Russia. Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported shooting down 598 Ukrainian drones over 19 regions. Separately, a Russian strike on southeastern Ukraine killed a three-month-old baby and wounded 11 people.
WORDS: 630 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 8:52 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e0ec548753451b1611e3123202850ea&mediaType=text
___
ML--MIDEAST
Vessel is attacked in Hormuz, Israeli strike kills 9 in Lebanon, and other news from the Middle East
SUMMARY: A vessel owned by Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Emirati state media. The attack marks the third such incident in a week. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported a bulk carrier hit by an unknown projectile, but it’s unclear if it was the same vessel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed nine people early Saturday, making it one of the deadliest since a truce with Hezbollah began in June. In Yemen, Houthis attacked a Red Sea port, killing at least one security guard and wounding eight others.
WORDS: 624 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 7:18 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ba738b9fb8803f28313a19df8bbcac19&mediaType=text
___
——————————
HEALTH/SCIENCE
——————————
US-MED--BE WELL-BEDBUGS
Bedbugs can cause people to lose sleep — and blood. Here’s what to do about them
SUMMARY: Bedbugs are on the rise and they tend to be at their worst at this time of year. The critters have horrified homeowners for centuries. They hide in furniture and clothes, emerging at night to bite. Traditionally, they are not known to spread diseases, but a recent study suggests they might be capable of transmitting an antibiotic-resistant infection called MRSA. Bedbugs have become more resistant to pesticides, making infestations harder to control. Experts advise preventing infestations by checking hotel rooms and inspecting secondhand items.
WORDS: 1245 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 9:15 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d4a6a560fff7bbf193d78df21009fc17&mediaType=text
___
MED--PMOS-OBESITY DRUGS
Obesity drugs show early promise against the hormonal disorder PMOS, giving a suffering family hope
SUMMARY: A small but growing body of research shows that GLP-1 drugs often used to treat obesity may also work for the hormonal disorder known as PMOS. They are believed to help women with PMOS not only by promoting weight loss but also by improving insulin resistance, hormone balance and ovulation. These things are key to the disease, which used to be called PCOS but was renamed earlier this year to shift the focus away from ovaries and cysts. Colorado teen Charlotte Touzalin joined a study testing the treatment. On the GLP-1, she stopped constantly gaining weight and her periods normalized.
WORDS: 1101 - MOVED: 08/15/2026 9:11 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd3a4eb10888e7c00077345092ed6dd3&mediaType=text
___
