News for July 24, 2026
Iran targets American strongholds around the Gulf while US hits more Iranian military sites
IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Iran targeted American strongholds around the Persian Gulf while the U.S. bombarded Iranian military sites as the rivals showed no sign of backing away from their conflict. The fighting unfolded Friday after a 13th straight night of strikes. Both sides also made moves suggesting an escalation was possible. U.S. embassies in the Middle East began alerting Americans in the region that options to leave could become more limited. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard advised residents of neighboring countries to stay away from bases with U.S. troops. At the center of the fight is the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for world energy supplies.
Trump says the US will investigate EU trade practices, claiming the bloc unfairly fined tech giants
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States will open a formal investigation into the European Union’s trade practices. He claims the bloc has unfairly levied billions of dollars of fines against Google, Apple and other U.S. tech giants. Trump made the announcement Friday. A day earlier, the EU hit Google with a fine of $1 billion after it said the technology behemoth broke digital antitrust regulations by setting up Google Play and its ubiquitous search engine to corral consumers toward its own services and apps to the detriment of competitors. Google says the fine hurts European businesses and consumers.
White House correspondents’ dinner, redux: What will Trump have to say?
When guests arrive for the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at Washington’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, security will be much tighter. The guest list will be smaller Friday. The partying will be pared down. That much, the correspondents’ association can control. What remains out of its control is what the dinner’s most prominent guest, President Donald Trump, will bring to the table. The big unknown is whether the Republican president will bring the fighting words against the press he’d planned to deliver in April. That was before the event descended into chaos when a gunman stormed a security checkpoint, forcing an evacuation of the room.
Stocks waver on Wall Street while crude oil prices fall for the first time in a week
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are wavering on Wall Street and oil prices are falling for the first time in a week, even as heavy fighting in the Middle East again threatened to slow the global flow of oil. The S&P 500 was mostly unchanged Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 167 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.6%. All three indexes are on track to finish the week lower. After shooting to $102 per barrel a day earlier, Brent crude fell 4.2%. Treasury yields moved lower in the bond market. European markets were higher and Asian markets closed lower.
There are already more US measles cases this year than in all of 2025
The U.S. has surpassed 2025’s record for measles cases, with five months left in 2026. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it has logged more than 2,300 cases of measles as of Thursday. Major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona have contributed to the rise. Experts say the actual spread might be greater due to underreporting and declining vaccination rates. For example, experts relying on mathematical modeling and genetic analyses believe a large outbreak on the Utah-Arizona border could be around three to four times bigger than the official count.
Democrats select South Carolina for their first presidential nominating contest in 2028 election
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have selected South Carolina to hold the first presidential nominating contest in 2028. The decision Friday most likely cements a Democratic primary calendar that moves away from Iowa and New Hampshire in favor of more racially diverse states. The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee weighed competing bids led by South Carolina and Nevada for the first spot. The choice will need to be approved by the full Democratic National Committee, which is scheduled to meet in August.
Teen pleads guilty to murder in a 2024 shooting that left 4 dead at Georgia’s Apalachee High School
WINDER, Ga. (AP) — A teenager has pleaded guilty to all 55 counts in a deadly shooting nearly two years ago at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Sixteen-year-old Colt Gray entered the plea Friday without having reached a deal with prosecutors. He had previously pleaded not guilty to charges in the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting that killed two students and two teachers, and left several others wounded, at the high school about 45 miles northeast of Atlanta. Because he pleaded guilty to murder, Gray faces a minimum sentence of life in prison. The judge must decide whether he should be eligible for parole.
Outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite linked to 4 more states
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have linked four more states to an outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasite. The update announced Friday expands the scope of the largest U.S. outbreak of cyclospora on record. Federal health agencies have been investigating the outbreak tied to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. Their tracing efforts now include Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Previously the agency’s investigation included five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Investigators are focused on produce supplier Taylor Farms and imports of lettuce from a location in Mexico.
Autopsy doctor testifies about teen girl’s fatal injuries at hearing to decide if D4vd faces trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is testifying about the autopsy of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the girl authorities say was killed by singer D4vd. During testimony on Friday, he confirmed her death was a homicide caused by two penetrating wounds. The hearing aims to determine if D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, should go on trial for her killing. Rivas Hernandez’s body was found in a Tesla in September, months after her death. Prosecutors allege Burke sexually abused and killed her. He has pleaded not guilty. The defense may challenge the forensic evidence. Burke, an indie-pop singer, is known for dark and violent imagery in his music.
