AI stocks gather more strength, even as Brent oil’s price nears $92

AI stocks gather more strength, even as Brent oil’s price nears NEW YORK (AP) — More gains for makers of computer chips and other winners of the artificial-intelligence boom are carrying Wall Street higher on Tuesday.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 352 points, or 0.7%, as of 11:30 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.3% higher.

AI stocks once again were at the center of the action, and they rose for a second straight day after tumbling the week before.

After rocketing higher because of the boom in investment in AI chips and data centers, they’ve come under pressure in recent weeks on worries that they shot too high. Concerns are also weighing that investment in AI may fall off if it doesn’t produce as much profit and productivity as hoped.

AI stocks are puling Wall Street higher.

Micron Technology jumped 10.1% and added to its 1.9% gain from the day before, coming off its 13.3% drop from last week. Nvidia added 1.6%, and they were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500.

The gains came despite more climbs for oil prices, and Brent crude oil topped $90 per barrel because of continued attacks between the United States and Iran. It rose 2% to $90.99 and briefly got near $92 for the first time in more than five weeks. That’s up from less than $72 early this month, which is roughly where it was before the war with Iran.

Rising oil prices are threatening a reacceleration of inflation, just as increases for prices were slowing more than economists expected. That in turn could push the Federal Reserve and other central banks to raise interest rates to keep a lid on inflation, which would slow economies and undercut prices for stocks and other investments.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged up to 4.62% from 4.60% late Monday and from just 3.97% before the war with Iran began.

On Wall Street, several stronger-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies helped stocks to strengthen despite the added pressure.

3M climbed 9.3% after topping analysts’ expectations for both profit and revenue in the latest quarter. It also raised its forecast for profit over the full year of 2026.

Hasbro rallied 7.1% after the toy maker said its Magic: The Gathering game topped $500 million in revenue for a quarter for the first time. It also raised its revenue forecast for the year.

General Motors cruised 4.1% higher after the automaker’s profit and revenue for the latest quarter beat analysts’ expectations and CEO Mary Barra said demand in North America remains strong.

They helped offset a drop for Danaher, which slid 13.8% even though it likewise topped analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue. Analysts pointed to its forecast for an underlying measure of revenue growth for the summer, which was weaker than Wall Street expected.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton slipped 0.7% despite also topping profit and revenue expectations for the latest quarter. Executive Chairman David Auld said it’s still feeling the effects of affordability concerns in the housing market and caution among potential home buyers.

Mortgage rates have already climbed to their highest level in nearly a year because of higher Treasury yields in the bond market. That could force D.R. Horton to offer more incentives to homebuyers in the current quarter, which would cut into its profits.

Companies broadly are under pressure to deliver strong growth in profit and revenue because of how high their stock prices have shot. Indexes are near their records, even with the recent shakiness for AI stocks.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly in Europe. The United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 added 0.4% as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosted his first Cabinet meeting.

In Asia, stocks swung more. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 3.6% on strong gains for its two dominant stocks. Both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have been big beneficiaries of the AI boom, and the Kospi has soared 60% so far this year even with its 20% drop for July so far.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 climbed 3.3% after returning from Monday’s holiday, while indexes rose 1.8% in Shanghai and edged down by less than 0.1% in Hong Kong.

Woman attacked by brown bear while hiking Alaskan trail

Alaskan authorizes said a brown bear attacked a hiker on July 18, 2026, in Bear Valley, Alaska. (Anchorage Police)

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) -- A woman is recovering after she was attacked by a brown bear while hiking through an Alaskan trail over the weekend, Alaskan authorities said.

The unidentified victim was hiking on a trail above Bear Valley, a neighborhood in south Anchorage, with another person and three dogs Saturday around 5:30 p.m. when the bear came out of the trees and encountered the pair and their dogs, the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game said.

"High winds and inclement weather conditions at the time of the encounter may have increased the chance that the bear was surprised by the hikers and their dogs, even if they were making noise," the agency said in a statement.

The bear ran off, and first responders found the woman with non-life-threatening injuries, the Anchorage Police Department said. She was carried out of the trail and transported to a local hospital, according to the police.

Police used a drone to track the bear and ensure it was not coming back as they got the hikers and dogs to safety.

Saturday's attack took place more than a week after another woman was attacked by a bear on the front porch of her Alaskan home just as she was leaving with her dogs.

The unidentified woman took out a shotgun to try to scare away the adult bear and its two cubs from her dog but was attacked and hospitalized on July 9, according to the authorities.

The bears ran away after being scared off by another person.

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4th person dies from Legionnaires’ disease in New York City: Health officials

Illustration of Legionella pneumophila bacteria, the cause of Legionnaires' disease. ( ROGER HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- A fourth person has died in New York City amid an ongoing cluster of Legionnaires' disease on the Upper East Side, according to health officials.

At least 76 cases have been identified and seven people remain hospitalized, the New York City Health Department announced.

Since the cluster began, 53 people have been discharged from the hospital, according to the department.


Health officials advised that anyone who has spent time in the affected ZIP codes 10028, 10075, 10128, including Carnegie Hill and Yorkville, should seek medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms. Legionnaires’ disease symptoms can appear up to 14 days after exposure, according to the health department.

The department previously said it believes the source of the Legionella bacteria has likely been eliminated and that it will continue inspecting every cooling tower that tested positive for the bacteria.

Health officials added there is not an issue with any building's plumbing system and that residents in the affected ZIP codes can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook and use an air conditioner at home.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling the Legionella bacteria in small droplets of water mixed in the air or contaminated water accidentally going into the lungs.

The bacteria are found naturally in freshwater, but amounts generally don't lead to disease. The bacteria typically grow best in warm water and in warm to hot temperatures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The disease does not generally spread from person to person, but infections can occur if the bacteria get into a building's water supply, including in shower heads, sink faucets, hot water tanks, heaters, cooling towers and other plumbing systems.

Legionnaires' disease has increased in prevalence over the last decade, reaching a peak of 2.71 cases per 100,000 in 2018, the CDC said. Cases dropped during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then rebounded in 2021.

Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.

ABC News' Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.

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2 Americans stabbed outside the Acropolis in Greece

Atop the Acropolis ancient hill with Parthenon temple during a heat wave on July 20, 2023 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

(ATHENS, Greece) -- Two Greek-American tourists were rushed to the hospital Tuesday morning after they were stabbed outside the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:05 a.m., just after the Acropolis Museum’s opening, police said.

Prior to the incident, an individual brandishing a knife outside the museum’s entrance was threatening pedestrians, prompting a bystander to place an emergency call to authorities, according to eyewitnesses and authorities.

Before law enforcement arrived, the assailant stabbed a couple, a 53-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman. The male victim suffered severe blood loss, police said.

The male victim’s injuries required urgent care due to blood loss, but both victims are reported to be in stable condition. The female victim suffered minor injuries to her hands and legs.

Police have taken a 60-year-old suspect into custody.

The rapid-response unit within the Hellenic Police and the Athens Police Directorate immobilized and disarmed the suspect, detaining the individual on the scene.

This is a story in development.

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D4vd murder case: Dayslong preliminary hearing set to begin in Los Angeles

The booking photo for the singer D4vd -- whose real name is David Burke -- is shown during a press briefing in Los Angeles on April 20, 2026. (LAPD)

(LOS ANGELES) -- A highly anticipated dayslong preliminary hearing in the murder case against the singer D4vd is set to get underway in Los Angeles on Tuesday, with evidence and testimony to be presented in court for the first time.

D4vd -- whose legal name is David Burke -- was arrested and charged in April with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez following a monthslong investigation. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

The preliminary hearing is expected to last three to seven days, with prosecutors seeking to establish probable cause to move forward with a trial.

Prosecutors allege that D4vd and Rivas Hernandez began a sexual relationship in 2023, when he was 18 and she was 13, and that she was threatening to expose their illegal relationship and ruin his career if he would not be exclusive to her.

Just as tickets for his world tour were set to go on sale, it is alleged that the "Romantic Homicide" singer ordered an Uber that brought Rivas Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, prosecutors said in a nine-page brief filed days after D4vd's arrest. That was the last time she was seen alive, according to prosecutors.  

Prosecutors allege that D4vd stabbed the teen multiple times, watching her bleed out, and then undertook a series of events to dismember her body, including ordering two chainsaws on Amazon.

"In order to distance himself from the victim, he amputated her left ring and pinky fingers because her ring finger contained a tattoo of his name," prosecutors wrote in their brief, noting that her fingers have not been found.

Her badly decomposed remains were found in two body bags in the front trunk of D4vd's Tesla four months later, in September 2025, according to prosecutors.

The brief was filed to "assist the court in understanding the scope and relevance of evidence the prosecution intends to present at the preliminary hearing," prosecutors wrote.

During his arraignment in April, D4vd's attorney, Blair Berk, asked for a preliminary hearing as soon as possible, saying she believes the evidence will show that he did not murder Rivas Hernandez and that they would "like to be able to have the evidence come into the light of day at the earliest opportunity."

D4vd has been held on no bail since his arrest.

His attorneys said they plan to "vigorously defend David's innocence."

"The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," his attorneys -- Berk, as well as Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter -- said in a statement following his arrest.

An attorney for Rivas Hernandez's family said in April that the family has decided not to make any future statements "in light of the gruesome details emerging almost daily."

"There are no words to express the indescribable pain the family is experiencing right now," the attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, said in a statement. "They still have bills to pay and jobs they go to every day. All they want is time to grieve and heal."

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Smithsonian official set to testify before Congress amid sharp White House criticism of museum

The Smithsonian American History Museum on July 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (MNAH) is scheduled to testify before two congressional House committees this week amid sharp criticism from the White House over the contents of the Washington, D.C. museum.

Anthea Hartig is set to face grilling by lawmakers on Tuesday morning in a House Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiency hearing titled "Rewriting American History: Examining the Smithsonian's Efforts to Reshape the Past," according to a committee press release.

She is also expected to testify in a related hearing on Wednesday before the Committee on House Administration, a committee spokesperson confirmed to ABC News. ABC News has reached out to the Smithsonian for confirmation.

Hartig was named in a scathing White House Domestic Policy Council report released on July 4, accusing the MNAH and its leadership of engaging in "extreme political activism" and presenting "a radical view of American history."

Asked about the report, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian told ABC News on July 5 that the institution remains committed to impartial learning.

"For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so," the spokesperson said.

Hartig's testimony this week would mark the first time that a top leader at the Smithsonian gets grilled publicly by Congress after President Donald Trump targeted the institution in his March 27, 2025 executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History."

The executive order directed Vice President J.D. Vance, in consultation with the president's advisers on domestic policy, "to remove improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions, arguing that materials that cast America in a "negative light" have no place in federal cultural institutions.

The White House last year launched an investigation into the Smithsonian, which oversees 21 museums, galleries and the national zoo, and released the July 4 report targeting the American history museum as part of this probe.

The report accuses the museum of "anti-White activism," "illegal alien activism," and "transgender activism." It also includes many photos of materials the White House has identified as problematic.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who has not addressed the report publicly, disputed its findings in an internal letter to staff that was obtained by ABC News.

Bunch wrote that Smithsonian leadership is "carefully" reviewing the report's findings, but said that the report's assessment is "not a fair characterization.

"While there will always be room for improvement, this report is not a fair characterization of the work and totality of the National Museum of American History," Bunch said in the letter. "At the Smithsonian, our work is driven by scholarship, accuracy, and an uncompromising commitment to tell the fullness of America's story."

"As public servants and the keepers of this institution, we are charged with helping a nation find understanding, hope, and clarity and as part of that duty, we are dedicated to excellence, reflection, and growth," Bunch added.

The report was published by the White House Domestic Policy Council. Vince Haley, the group's director, said in a statement to ABC News that "No American wants the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to be a system of ideological activism."

"Unfortunately, the report demonstrates that is exactly what the Smithsonian's flagship museum has become," he said. "It is our hope and expectation that the Smithsonian will eventually rise once again to that noble obligation -- to tell America's story for our children, the world, and future generations of Americans," he added.

ABC News' Mariam Khan contributed to this report.

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Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf of Mexico is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and was moving slowly toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, causing a tropical storm warning and storm surge watches, forecasters said.

The storm was about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, and 170 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama, and moving northwest at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning.

The wind speed increased by 10 mph since Bertha formed Monday night. A tropical storm warning, meaning the conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours, was in effect early Tuesday from the Florida and Alabama border to the Jefferson and Plaquemines parish line in Louisiana.

A storm surge watch, indicating rising, possible life-threatening water moving inland from the coast within 48 hours, was issued from the Alabama and Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River, the hurricane center reported.

Bertha is expected to stay near or along the Gulf Coast

Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season after Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rainfall to the southeastern U.S. in June.

The storm was expected to stay near or along the northern Gulf Coast this week, dropping heavy rain on coastal areas of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana while pushing west toward Texas.

Potentially life-threatening storm surges of up to 4 feet are possible in portions of Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, the hurricane center said, warning Bertha could spin off an isolated tornado or two over the Florida Big Bend region.

Areas of flash flooding also will be possible through Friday along the coast from western Florida to middle Texas, forecasters said, adding that rainfall could total 3 to 5 inches along the Louisiana coastline, with higher amounts in some scattered areas.

Red flags on the beach at Orange Beach, Alabama, cautioned swimmers about high surf and currents. In Escambia County, Florida, emergency officials offered sand for people living in flood-prone areas to use for sandbags.

Hurricane Fausto churns in the Pacific

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto churned far from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and posed no threat to land, the hurricane center said.

Fausto gained hurricane status Monday night. It was about 740 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, had top sustained winds of 80 mph and was moving northwest at 12 mph.

The storm was expected to strengthen Tuesday and Wednesday. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, though ocean swells generated by the storm could cause life-threatening surf and rip tide conditions on the Baja California coast, the center said.

In brief: ‘Masters of the Universe’ gets streaming date and more

Lewis Pullman is teaming up with Julia Garner. The actor is set to make his return to television by starring opposite Garner in the upcoming thriller-drama series Guilty Creatures for Apple TV. Craig Gillespie is directing the series from showrunner Stuart Zicherman. The series was adapted for the small screen by Sarah DeLappe. It's based on Mikita Brottman‘s true-crime book Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida, and follows a romance and act of murder between two young, adulterous, God-fearing lovers ...

Masters of the Universe has set its streaming debut. The Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel film will be available to stream on Prime Video starting on Wednesday. Travis Knight directed the movie that stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam. The film also features Camila Mendes, Jared Leto and Idris Elba ...

We now know who will star alongside Dwayne Johnson in Lizard Music. Deadline reports that fourth grade newcomer Theo Clark Leber has landed the starring role in director Benny Safdie's upcoming film adaptation of the 1976 novel by Daniel Pinkwater. The film will be made for Amazon MGM Studios. This live-action/CGI hybrid movie will mark 10-year-old Leber's feature debut. It follows a boy (Leber) who stumbles across a late night broadcast of lizards playing music. This transports him through a hidden door into a new world where he meets The Chicken Man (Johnson). The duo set off on an adventure that becomes a voyage through invisible worlds ...

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Kit Connor, Joe Locke share favorite ‘full-circle moments’ from ‘Heartstopper Forever’

Kit Connor as Nick Nelson and Joe Locke as Charlie Spring in 'Heartstopper Forever.' (Samuel Dore/Netflix)

Heartstopper Forever bid farewell to Nick, Charlie and friends, but not before revisiting memories of seasons past.

The film is peppered with nostalgic references and callbacks to iconic scenes from the teen romance series — from Nick and Charlie’s (Kit Connor and Joe Locke) first kiss to their first date on the beach. 

“When we shot at Herne Bay on the beach [in Kent, England], it was four years to the day that we had had our final day on season 1 at the beach,” Connor tells ABC Audio. “So it was a strange coincidence that we were shooting at the same beach four years apart, but it was really a beautiful day and quite a full-circle moment.”

Aside from Nick and Charlie, some of the other characters get their full-circle moments, as well. Locke, who served as a producer on the film along with Connor, says he suggested the “really lovely moment” between Charlie and art teacher Mr. Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade) in the film.

There’s also a moment between Nick and Tao (Will Gao) — a culmination of poignant scenes between the two unlikely friends that’s been building since season 1. Connor says they only had 40 to 45 minutes to shoot it and they tapped into their real emotions as close friends off-screen. “That final scene is quite meta in a way, because it was sort of me and Will talking about saying goodbye to this experience,” he says.

When it comes to parting gifts from set, Connor and Locke say they’ve both taken some items over the years, including clothes, a Truham tie and a rugby ball. Connor laments not taking anything more sentimental, before quickly changing his mind.

“We didn't need to,” he says. “We've taken each other.” 

Heartstopper Forever is out now Netflix, with the behind-the-scenes special Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi out July 24.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu lead Liberty to 99-98 OT win over short-handed Wings

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 33 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, Sabrina Ionescu scored 12 of her 21 points in overtime, and the New York Liberty beat the short-handed Dallas Wings 99-98 on Monday night to snap a four-game skid.

After scoring just nine points in the third quarter — and trailing by 12 in the frame — New York responded with 24 points in the fourth to force overtime.

Ionescu took over from there, making all five of her shots to give New York a 97-93 lead with 1:20 left.

Arike Ogunbowale sank a 3-pointer to pull Dallas within 99-98 with 27.5 seconds left and New York had a shot-clock violation at the other end to give the Wings another chance. Ogunbowale had a good look from close range but her bank shot hit hard off the rim as time expired.

Ogunbowale scored 29 points for Dallas (17-9), which had a franchise-record six-game winning streak halted. Jessica Shepard secured her 17th double-double of the season with 13 points and 16 rebounds to tie Atlanta’s Angel Reese for league lead.

Dallas was without star Paige Bueckers after she hit her head on the floor late in a 90-82 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday. Bueckers isn’t in the concussion protocol, but the team said last season’s Rookie of the Year was still feeling sore.

Jonquel Jones finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for New York (14-12). Marine Fauthoux had 10 points and 10 boards.

The game was rescheduled from Thursday night after the Liberty’s charter flight had mechanical issues.
Up next

Liberty: Host Chicago on Wednesday.

Wings: At Portland on Wednesday.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Peña, Walker, Blanco returns to lineup and help Astros beat Marlins 8-5

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña returned to the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Miami Marlins and hit his second grand slam in an 8-5 victory.

Peña missed Sunday’s loss to Baltimore after leaving Saturday’s loss to the Orioles in the fourth inning due to a right hamstring cramp.

After flying out to left field in his first at-bat of the game, Peña hit a 1-2 fastball from Janson Junk into the right field stands for his seventh home run of the season.

“The goal is to get something in the air, get the run in, and that one just happened to leave the field,” Peña said.

Houston’s Christian Walker was not in the starting lineup for the second straight game after exiting Saturday’s game in the fourth inning due to right hip tightness. He entered Monday’s game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and grounded out to third base before finishing the game defensively at first base.

Monday’s win snapped the Astros’ four-game skid. They are three games back of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers and 4 1/2 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the AL’s final wild card.

“It was a tough series that we just played,” Peña said. “We flushed that. Show up today, win the game. Keep going with the momentum. Show up tomorrow, try to win another game, and hopefully this snowballs and we keep going.”

Peña is batting .295 with six home runs and 22 RBIs this season. Two trips to the injury have limited him to just 53 games. He missed more than a month due to a right hamstring strain sustained April 11, and a left calf strain sidelined him earlier this month.

Walker is batting .234 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs this season.

Houston made four roster moves before Monday’s game. Right-hander Ronel Blanco and left-hander Bennett Sousa were reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Left-hander Bryan King and infielder Raynel Delgado were optioned to Triple-A.

Blanco started Monday, 13 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, four earned runs with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Blanco was 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA in nine starts last season before undergoing surgery in June. In his first full season as a starter in 2024, Blanco was 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA, second-best in the American League.

Sousa had been on the injured list since May 6 with left elbow inflammation. He has allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings this season after posting a 2.84 ERA out of the Astros bullpen in 2025.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

White Sox catcher Kyle Teel helped off field with left ankle injury and IL stint is likely

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel hurt his left ankle Monday night and is likely heading to the injured list, manager Will Venable said.

Teel was injured while trying to apply a tag in the second inning of AL Central-leading Chicago’s 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. He was helped off the field while putting no weight on the ankle. Drew Romo replaced him.

Venable said Teel would be evaluated Tuesday.

“We’ve got to go get it get scanned and get more information,” Venable said.

Teel has played just 19 games this season because of hamstring and knee injuries. He’s batting .190 with two homers and 14 RBIs.

Last season, he batted .273 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 78 games.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Benintendi’s 3-run double chases deGrom, helps White Sox to 10-3 win over Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Andrew Benintendi hit a go-ahead three-run double that chased Texas starter Jacob deGrom in the fifth inning and the Chicago White Sox beat the Rangers 10-3 on Monday night.

Benintendi was hitless in 10 at-bats against deGrom before hitting a two-out, 2-2 pitch to right field to give the AL Central-leading White Sox a 5-2 lead.

Miguel Vargas went 3 for 5 with a pair of RBI doubles to help Chicago (53-46) snap a 10-game losing streak at Globe Life Field and beat Texas (50-50) for just the third time in the last 18 games.

DeGrom (7-6) allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. The 38-year-old right-hander struck out six, walked two and threw 97 pitches after missing his last start with a hip impingement.

Joc Pederson hit his 17th home run on the fourth pitch from Erick Fedde to put the Rangers ahead.

Ezequiel Duran doubled and scored on Evan Carter’s single for a 2-0 lead in the second on a play in which Chicago catcher Kyle Teel was helped off the field after he was injured on the tag attempt.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Teel is likely heading to the injured list. He said Teel would be evaluated Tuesday.

Vargas’ two-out RBI double cut it to 2-1 in the third.

Tristan Peters doubled leading off the fifth and Antonacci singled to tie it before Benintendi cleared the bases.

Jake Burger hit his 17th homer — a leadoff shot on the first pitch from Seranthony Domínguez in the seventh, to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Vargas had an RBI double and Luisangel Acuña singled in a pair before scoring on a triple by Randal Grichuk in a five-run ninth off rookie Jose Corniell.

Fedde struck out six and allowed two runs on four hits in four innings. Chris Murphy (3-0) pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings for the win.
Up next

The Rangers have not announced who will start Tuesday opposite White Sox LHP Noah Schultz (3-6, 5.60 ERA).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel agrees to buyout after probe, will step down at end of 2026

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have agreed to a buyout of the remaining three years on his contract and he will step down at the end of 2026, culminating a decade-long run with four national championships and a string of scandals.

The announcement on Monday followed investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant and a probe into the athletic department.

“The broader culture review has identified serious concerns that require immediate action,” interim school president Domenico Grasso said.

Michigan won this year’s men’s basketball title and the 2023 national championship in football under Manuel, but that wasn’t enough for him to keep his job. Grasso said he asked Manuel to remain in his role through the end of the year.

“I am happy President Grasso asked me to stay on to work with him to implement the recommendations for continuous improvement,” Manuel said in a statement released by the athletic department. “I promise everyone I will have more to say about my decision at the appropriate time.”

The storied athletic department has been in turmoil for years, with scandal-tinged headlines jarringly alongside general excellence across most of the school’s 27 teams in Division I and the Wolverines annually among the best in the powerhouse Big Ten. It got worse last December, when Manuel fired Moore following a law firm’s investigation into a relationship he had with a subordinate.

The school later chose to widen the look into the department. A law firm was paid about $12 million to do the work and it interviewed nearly 300 people, including coaches, staff members, athletes and other stakeholders. The school said more than 90 people shared information via a hotline and 20,000-plus documents were reviewed during the investigations.

The athletic department review found problems with leadership accountability, organizational structure and a culture that didn’t make employees and athletes feel comfortable raising concerns.

“The culture assessment is sobering,” Grasso said. “As a great university, we simply must do better.”

The school said the investigation did not find widespread misconduct. It also said the investigations did not identify any current employee with direct evidence of Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant.

The 58-year-old Manuel, who played football for the Wolverines under the late Bo Schembechler and was on the track team, was hired to lead the department in 2016. He signed a contract extension at Michigan in 2024 that was set to run through June 2030, paying him a base salary of $1.9 million a year with opportunities to make more with bonuses and merit.

He led a department with an annual budget of about $250 million, 29 teams, 950-plus athletes and about 400 staff members.

The Wolverines won the national championship in football under former coach Jim Harbaugh, who later left to lead the Los Angeles Chargers, as a sign-stealing scandal loomed over the program and Moore’s tenure.

The program is on NCAA probation and has seen many former staffers have run-ins with the law, including Matt Weiss, who is charged with hacking into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to find intimate images.

Michigan won it all in men’s basketball earlier this year with coach Dusty May, who left to lead the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Michigan also won men’s and women’s gymnastics national titles with Manuel as AD.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame gave Manuel the John L. Toner Award in 2024, honoring him for demonstrating superior administrative abilities and dedication to college athletics, especially football. He represented Michigan and the Big Ten as member of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee and was chair during the 2004 season when the 12-team playoff format kicked off.

Manuel, who is from New Orleans, previously served as athletic director at UConn and Buffalo after working in Michigan’s athletic department in various roles from 1996 to 2005.

Grasso said the school will conduct a national search for a new athletic director.

Potential candidates include three former Michigan athletes: Iowa Deputy Athletic Director Joe Parker, Big Ten Deputy Commissioner Diane Dietz and Katie Fraumann, a senior vice president at DePaul. Parker and Fraumann previously worked for Michigan’s athletic department.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Police seek people responsible for break-in at Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley’s home

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police are searching for the people responsible for a weekend break-in at the home of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

Police in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, were called to the home early Saturday for a report of a burglary in progress. When they arrived, they said the suspects had fled. The home was occupied at the time and no one was hurt, police said.

“Mr. Barkley and his family were not harmed during this incident,” police said in a news release. They released a photo of a white SUV, saying it may be involved in the break-in.

Police said they did not receive any other reports about break-ins in the area. Police were investigating the possibility that Barkley’s home was targeted.

The Chester County District Attorney’s office is assisting in the investigation.

“We are asking the public to help us identify those responsible by checking any home security cameras for suspicious activity in the area” from early Saturday, the office said in a statement.

Police and the district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to email and phone messages seeking comment Monday.

Phone messages seeking comment also were left with representatives of the Eagles and Barkley.

In May, Argentine police arrested two Chilean citizens suspected of being part of a transnational gang that orchestrated burglaries at the homes of well-known athletes, including stars from the NBA and NFL.

According to local police, the two were part of a crime ring that targeted the homes of prominent athletes in the U.S. and Argentina, including NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and former tennis player Juan Martín del Potro.

Targets also included the homes of NBA players Luka Doncic and Mike Conley Jr.

In 2024, the NFL issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following the burglaries involving the homes of Mahomes and Kelce.

Barkley took a step back from his record-setting 2024 season when his 2,504 yards rushing in the regular season and playoffs were the most ever, as Philadelphia’s offense was less potent last season. He still managed to rush for 1,140 yards and scored nine total touchdowns.

WNBA All-Star weekend clouded by injuries to Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese

NEW YORK (AP) — It was a rough week for WNBA All-Stars heading into the game this weekend.

Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese both were injured Sunday. Bueckers had a rough collision with Nneka Ogwumike in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ game against Los Angeles. The second-year star guard won’t play Monday night against New York, but cleared concussion protocol the team said.

Reese’s knee buckled as she jump-stopped at the basket in a win over Chicago. She fell to the ground. Reese got up quickly, but went down again after a few seconds. She went back to the bench but didn’t return. The Dream are off now through the All-Star break and Reese was voted a reserve for the team by the league’s coaches.

Reese is leading the league with 11.8 rebounds per game and 14 double-doubles. She’s averaging 14.9 points.

If either can’t play in the exhibition game in Chicago on Saturday, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will name a replacement. Kelsey Plum is another player that would potentially need an injury replacement as she’s been out with a lower leg injury that’s sidelined her for nearly a month.
Power poll rankings

The Golden State Valkyries remained the No. 1 team in the power poll, increasing their winning streak to nine straight. Minnesota was second with Dallas, Las Vegas and Indiana next. Atlanta moved up to sixth, switching places with New York. Washington, Chicago and Portland followed the Liberty. Toronto was 11th and Los Angeles 12th. Connecticut climbed two places to 13th with Phoenix and Seattle rounding out the poll.
Player of the week

Caitlin Clark of Indiana was the AP player of the week. She averaged 25 points, 7.7 assists and 1.7 steals to help the Fever go 2-1 last week. Clark became the first person in league history to have a 40-plus point game to go along with 10 assists in a win over Seattle. Other players receiving votes included her teammate Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, Olivia Miles of Minnesota, Allisha Gray of Atlanta and Gabby Williams of Golden State.
Moving on

Reese accepted Toronto coach Sandy Brondello’s apology for an inappropriate comment that got the Tempo coach suspended for a game.

The WNBA suspended Brondello one game for being overheard calling Reese a “protected species” during the Dream’s 111-92 win over the Tempo on Friday.

“First, I appreciate Sandy’s apology, but I also appreciate the love and support that I’ve had for the last 48 hours,” Reese said before the Dream played the Chicago Sky on Sunday. “It has been very overwhelming with a lot of love and also other things. But I am grateful that the league did take action.”

Brondello’s comment about Reese was picked up by the broadcast after Toronto player Nyara Sabally went down with an injury and was called for a foul following contact with Reese.
Game of the week

Las Vegas at Washington, Wednesday. The Aces finish off the first part of the season and a two-game road trip with a visit to Washington to face the Mystics.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

WTA introduces gene testing for all players on women’s tennis tour

BERLIN (AP) — The Women’s Tennis Association is introducing one-off mandatory gene-testing for all players effective from Tuesday – a requirement to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The WTA updated its women’s eligibility policy to include gender screening “based on biological sex” this week “to preserve the integrity of women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition conditions for all players.”

The new policy takes the organization in line with the eligibility policy introduced by the International Olympic Committee in March to align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on sports ahead of the 2028 Games.

The WTA is complying with what is effectively an order from the IOC that Olympic sports bodies are following, though it remained unclear how many, if any, transgender women are competing at Games level.

Players are to be tested for the SRY gene, a segment of DNA typically found on the Y chromosome that initiates male sex development in utero and indicates the presence of testes.

“In this policy, ‘biological male’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has an SRY gene and therefore has or previously had testes or streak testes; and ‘biological female’ means an individual who, regardless of their legal sex or gender identity, has no SRY gene and therefore has or previously had ovaries or streak ovaries.”

The WTA said the policy distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity, and that there is “no intent to disrespect or question the gender identity or the dignity of any person.”

The mandatory gender screening — already conducted by the governing bodies of track and field, skiing and boxing — has been criticized by human rights experts and activist groups.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Tropical Storm Bertha drifts toward land as Hurricane Fausto forms in the eastern Pacific

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tropical Storm Bertha formed Monday evening in the Gulf of Mexico south of the Florida Panhandle as it drifts erratically toward populated coastal areas bearing a threat of heavy rain, storm surge and damaging wind gusts, forecasters say.

Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Fausto formed far from Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and posed no threat to land Monday night.

The center of Bertha was located about 140 miles (225 km) south of Panama City, Florida, in the northern Gulf. Maximum sustained winds were around 40 mph (65 kph) and some additional strengthening is expected as the storm approaches land, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

The slow-moving storm drifted for hours on Monday, but is expected to stay near or along the northern Gulf Coast early this week, unleashing heavy rain on coastal areas of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana as it pushes west toward Texas.

Bertha is the second tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Storm Arthur last month brought heavy rainfall to the southeastern United States.

The storm was nearly stationary by Monday night, but it was expected to make a west-northwestward or westward turn toward the coast over the next few days, according to the hurricane center.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for a wide area from the Alabama-Florida border westward to southeastern Louisiana at the Jefferson and Plaquemines parish line. A storm surge watch also has been posted from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Alabama-Florida border on the Gulf Coast.

Potentially life-threatening storm surges of up to four feet (1.2 meters) could occur in portions of the Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, the hurricane center said, warning Bertha could spin off an isolated tornado or two over the Florida Big Bend region in the week.

Areas of flash flooding will also be possible through Friday along the coast from western Florida to middle Texas, forecasters said. They added that rainfall could total 3 to 5 inches (7 to 12 centimeters) along the Louisiana coastline with higher amounts in some scattered areas.

Red flags were flying on the beach at Orange Beach, Alabama, cautioning swimmers about high surf and currents. In Escambia County, Florida, emergency officials offered sand for people living in flood-prone areas to use for sandbags.

Fausto gained hurricane status Monday night and was about 745 miles (1,200 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, forecasters said.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Fausto had top sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and was moving to the west-northwest at 9 mph 15 (kph).

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect though ocean swells generated by the storm could pummel the Baja California coast and cause life-threatening surf and rip tide conditions, the center said.

Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its division

Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its divisionCAIRO (AP) — The Israeli military is quietly but quickly building a giant earthen barrier separating the over 50% of the Gaza Strip it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave.

More than 23 kilometers (14 miles) have been constructed in recent months, running through Palestinian communities demolished by the military. That is equivalent to more than half the length of the coastal strip, which is some 40 kilometers (25 miles) long and 11 kilometers (7 miles) wide, and home to over 2 million Palestinians.

When presented with the satellite images, Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press it has built a physical barrier in the area of the so-called yellow line, the boundary to which Israeli troops withdrew under the October ceasefire deal with Hamas. The line was envisioned in the U.S.-backed agreement as a temporary division of the territory pending a fuller Israeli withdrawal.

But as the truce stagnates, it appears Israel is digging in, heightening Palestinian fears that the line is morphing into a border. Neither U.S. Central Command, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, nor the Board of Peace, the body led by U.S. President Donald Trump meant to eventually oversee Gaza, would comment on the barrier.

Along with the barrier, the military told AP it has developed a “security zone” around the line, equipped with intelligence and technological assets. It declined to give details on the route of the barrier when asked how far it would be extended. It said the barrier aimed to prevent infiltration and protect Israeli troops and Israeli communities near Gaza.

Construction of the barrier is proceeding rapidly

Since the ceasefire deal took hold, Palestinians in Gaza have feared Israel would not return the area of Gaza it controls. But few appear to be aware of the berms now being built around them — because of the danger of even approaching that area.

A portion of the berm network in southern Gaza was extended by more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in two weeks this month, according to the satellite images provided by Planet Labs PBC.

The berm was about 500 meters (0.3 miles) long on July 1. By July 15, it was about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles), splicing the Israel-controlled ruins of the city of Rafah from Muwasi, site of some of the largest Palestinian tent camps.

If construction continues in its current direction, it will join up with the longest stretch of the barrier, which runs nearly unbroken for around 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the southern city of Khan Younis to near Gaza City, in the north.

Construction began on that stretch in February, and it appears work to extend it further south is continuing, according to the satellite images. More than a kilometer (0.6 miles) was added between June 21 and July 7, running close to an Israeli military base built on the ruins of the town of Bani Suheila, near Khan Younis.

In the far north of Gaza, several unconnected stretches of berms run just outside the largely leveled town of Beit Lahia.

The height of the berms in each place remains unclear. In some places, the barriers appear to run outside the yellow line.
Israel has mostly destroyed and depopulated the half of Gaza it controls

Gaza’s population has been crowded into the coastal area west of the yellow line, most living in squalid tent camps and dependent on aid.

On the other side of the line, satellite imagery shows that Israeli forces have leveled the vast majority of buildings using bulldozers and explosives, virtually erasing several towns and Rafah, once home to more than a quarter million people.

They have carved new road networks and erected new bases on the ruins of Palestinian towns. Agricultural land has also been destroyed. The Israeli military says it is demolishing infrastructure used by Hamas.

The yellow line was never precisely defined, whether in the ceasefire deal or by Israeli or U.S. officials, and it has been inconsistently marked on the ground. The military told AP it is working to clearly mark the route of the yellow line to “reduce friction and prevent harm to uninvolved individuals.”

Israeli forces have killed Palestinians who came close to the line or crossed it. The Israeli military says it fires on those believed to be militants threatening its troops. But those killed have included children and other civilians seemingly unaware of the line. Some soldiers have said they don’t always know who they are firing on and have orders to kill anyone crossing the boundary.

Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians since the ceasefire

Israeli forces have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, most in airstrikes and drone strikes around Gaza. The Israeli military says it is targeting militants. Militant attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers in the same period.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel is eventually supposed to withdraw its troops further to the very edges of Gaza, to be replaced by an international security force. But implementation of the deal has been stalled for months.

A former U.N. diplomat now in charge of coordinating the ceasefire has blamed Hamas’ failure to disarm. Sporadic talks to reach a formula for decommissioning its weapons appear to have made little progress, and Hamas accuses Israel in turn of violating the ceasefire.

The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 others hostage. Israel responded with a punishing military offensive that has killed more than 73,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which was part of the recently dissolved Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and international organizations. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities.

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Frankel reported from Jerusalem.

Lebanon’s president will meet with Trump in Washington to push for Israeli troop withdrawal

Lebanon’s president will meet with Trump in Washington to push for Israeli troop withdrawal
Lebanese army soldiers stand at a checkpoint in Froun village, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s president will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to wrap up a four-day visit to Washington, in a bid to bring about long-term calm in the war-torn country after months of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

Joseph Aoun’s landmark meeting with Trump comes as Lebanon and Israel continue to hold rare direct talks mediated by Washington. Lebanon hopes they will result in Israeli troops withdrawing from large swaths of southern Lebanon that they currently occupy, and for the Lebanese military to receive support to assert full control in areas where Hezbollah militants had held sway.

Lebanon and Israel announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, setting a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon as well as the disarmament of Hezbollah, which for decades had a strong presence in the area. It also lays out steps toward an eventual peace agreement between both countries, which have never held formal diplomatic ties and have been nominally in a state of war for nearly 80 years after Israel’s establishment.

The U.S. State Department announced Monday that operations in three villages deemed part of a “pilot zone” had begun, without giving details on what that entailed. Two of the three villages, Froun and Srifa, are not under Israeli military control and the Lebanese army is present there, while Israeli forces are in part of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.

The Lebanese army in a statement said it was preparing for Israel to withdraw from Zawtar al-Gharbieh and that it had begun deploying troops to the area Tuesday. The Israeli military said it “will adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas in order to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission,” without specifying the location.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in accordance with military guidelines said Tuesday that the withdrawal had not yet begun.

Rubio says US will continue to support framework agreement

Aoun met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, who said Washington will continue to endorse the Lebanese agreement and support the agreement’s full implementation. Rubio described the meeting as “very positive” and warned that Lebanon will “never be fully at peace” as long as the Hezbollah issue is not resolved.

“How do you replace Hezbollah? You defeat and replace them with a government that is strong enough to be the sole force of arms in the country,” Rubio said after the meeting. Skeptics in Lebanon fear that a military confrontation with Hezbollah could lead to a civil war, as government officials have also urged for investment into the country’s battered infrastructure to empower the weakened state, which Rubio echoed.

“This is not just about military stuff,” he added. “This is about how can we attract more U.S. and international investment into Lebanon.”

The Lebanese military last week increased its presence in some of the areas expected to be included in the pilot zone, including the three villages, with troops patrolling and setting up checkpoints. Though recent talks in Rome have signaled that the agreement’s implementation will begin soon, Israeli troops have not withdrawn from the areas under control.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said they plan to keep forces long term in a “security zone” in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has dismissed the direct talks brokered by the United States and instead backed Washington’s talks with their key ally and patron Iran to end their war, which also includes ending the war in Lebanon as a condition to bring back calm.

Lebanon’s government came to power on a reformist platform in early 2025, vowing to disarm all non-state groups including Hezbollah. It blames Hezbollah for dragging the country into another war with Israel in March when the militant group fired several rockets toward northern Israel after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

Beirut’s leadership, however, has condemned Israel’s subsequent ground invasion and massive aerial campaign in the country, which killed over 4,000 people and displaced 1.2 million others. While grappling with stark political opposition from Hezbollah and allies within the deeply divided country, Lebanon’s leadership insists that Israeli withdrawal and international financial support for Lebanon’s cash-strapped army is crucial for a sustainable security solution.

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Associated Press writer Giovanna Dell’Orto in Jerusalem contributed.

US strikes Iran for 10th consecutive night as Tehran strikes tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

US strikes Iran for 10th consecutive night as Tehran strikes tanker in the Strait of Hormuz
Fireworks burst as Houthi supporters rally against the Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, July 20, 2026. Placards in Arabic read: “God is great, Death to America, Death to Israel, A curse on the Jews and Victory to Islam” and “boycott American and Israeli goods”. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, forcing its crew to abandon the ship, while the United States conducted yet another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic as they struggle over control of the key waterway.

The 10 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes haven’t compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait, through which about a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime.

Even as the U.S. and Iran inch closer to all-out war again, Iran’s interior minister traveled to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, for talks. However, it remains unclear just what new deal could be reached to end the fighting.

The interim deal signed last month that was meant to end the fighting has crumbled. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled. And as fighting intensifies, both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure relied on by millions of people.

“Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world,” the U.S. State Department said in a new warning to Americans.

The escalation has pushed oil prices higher in recent weeks. Benchmark Brent crude traded Tuesday above $88 a barrel and regular gasoline in the U.S. climbed to an average of $4 a gallon, keeping pressure on Americans’ wallets ahead of midterm elections this fall.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military identified two soldiers who were killed in Jordan in attacks that left a third person missing. Separately, the military confirmed another death in Iraq on Saturday during the “controlled detonation” of a downed Iranian drone. President Donald Trump took to social media on Monday to warn that “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!”

Trump was planning to attend a ceremony on Tuesday evening at Dover Air Force Base, where at least one service member’s remains were due to arrive.

US strikes come as ships attacked

The U.S. military’s Central Command said Tuesday it targeted “Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and air defense systems.” It released more footage of bombings that targeted sites in Iran.

“American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait,” the command said.

However, traffic through the strait has slowed to crawl with the latest violence. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said a tanker came under attack early Tuesday in the strait off Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed the attack, as well as two other attacks on ships Monday in the waterway.

The route around Oman has been the one the U.S. military has encouraged ships to travel to avoid Iran’s control.

Tehran also hit U.S.-allied countries throughout the Middle East. Jordan military’s said Tuesday that Iran targeted it with five drones, all of which were shot down.

Nearly 100 US injuries since early July

The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson said nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured since the U.S. restarted strikes on July 7, and 96% of them have returned to duty.

“The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions,” Sean Parnell posted Monday on X in response to a New York Times report that the Pentagon has withheld information about troop injuries from Iranian strikes. He denied that the Pentagon was hiding data about injuries.

However, the Defense Casualty Analysis System, the military’s clearinghouse for reporting deaths and injuries in conflict, has not been updated as of Monday night with the latest attacks.
Yemen rebels threaten attacks on other Mideast waterway

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, said they would block shipping between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by targeting the Bab el-Mandeb, a maritime chokepoint like the Strait of Hormuz, in response to an attack on Sanaa International Airport last week that they blamed on Saudi Arabia.

With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, Saudi Arabia has been relying on a pipeline to the Red Sea to get millions of barrels of oil out to market. The Houthis earlier demonstrated their ability to disrupt shipping there when they targeted ships for months over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with over 100 vessels attacked.

Saudi Arabia’s military said it would keep the waterway open.

“All Houthi threats against transiting vessels will be dealt with swiftly and firmly, as such threats are a blatant violation of international law and fall under acts of maritime piracy,” said Maj. Gen, Turki al-Malki, a Saudi military spokesman.

A glimmer of hope for diplomacy

Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts in recent days to resuscitate the interim deal.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad on Monday for two days of talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the U.S. is still open to negotiating with Iran but that “it has to be real.”

“If the door opens to diplomacy — if the guys that want to do something productive for Iran win and take control of that system, or take control of the negotiations — that’ll be a very positive development,” Rubio said. “That’s not where we are tonight, unfortunately.”

Iranian authorities on Sunday said at least 50 people have been killed and 517 wounded in the latest rounds of U.S. strikes. Since the war began on Feb. 28, 17 U.S. service members have been killed.

Trio accused of robbing delivery driver

Trio accused of robbing delivery driverLONGVIEW (KLTV) – A Longview man was arrested Sunday after he and two others robbed a delivery driver at gunpoint of his pizzas, according to an affidavit from the Longview Police Department. The affidavit said a Longview police officer responded to an apartment complex in the 100 block of East Hawkins Parkway after a delivery driver called to report he had been robbed at gunpoint of pizza.

According to the affidavit, the delivery driver said he was delivering three medium pizzas, one side item, and six ranch dressings for a total of $82.15. The driver said when he arrived to deliver the pizzas, three suspects walked up to him and said, “I think you should give that to us.”

The affidavit said two of the suspects stood to the side of the driver while one man, identified as Kashys Herrin, 18, of Longview, approached him from the front and pulled out a handgun.

According to the affidavit, the driver said, “he wasn’t going to die over pizza,” and handed them over. The driver said the three suspects walked away as he returned to his car.

The affidavit said the officer found three suspects matching the descriptions given by the driver and detained them. Two of the suspects were juveniles. Continue reading Trio accused of robbing delivery driver

New compensation package, raises

New compensation package, raisesTYLER – The TISD school board voted Monday to approve a new compensation package for the 2026-2027 school year covering teachers, staff, police officers, coaches, and support employees. Teachers will earn between $50,500 and $75,000 based on years of experience. A beginning non-certified teacher will earn $50,500. A teacher with 31 or more years of experience will earn $75,000. Teachers will also receive a $500 retention stipend paid in August 2026. Eligibility for the stipend is contingent upon returning to work for the 2027 spring semester.

Bilingual and special education teachers will each receive an additional $4,000 stipend on top of their base pay.
District police compensation

District police officers are compensated on a three-level hourly scale based on years of service. Level 1 officers with zero to two years of experience earn $27.18 per hour. Level 2 officers with three to seven years earn $29.27 per hour. Level 3 officers with eight or more years earn $31.36 per hour. Lead, tactical, and other officers earn $33.45 per hour.

Officers also receive monthly certification pay — $75 for intermediate, $150 for advanced, and $225 for master certification — as well as annual stipends ranging from $1,000 for officers with zero to five years of service up to $5,000 for those with 20 or more years. Continue reading New compensation package, raises

New district leadership appointments

New district leadership appointmentsTYLER – The Tyler ISD has announced several district leadership appointments for the 2026-2027 school year. The appointments reflect the district’s continued commitment to developing leaders from within while attracting experienced educators and professionals who will help advance student success across the district, according to a news release.

“We’re excited about these new leadership assignments for the 2026-2027 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford. “Whether through our strong leadership succession strategy or by attracting proven, high-quality educators to our hometown school system, Tyler ISD continues to bring outstanding leaders of integrity and excellence who are committed to serving our students, families, teachers, and staff.” Continue reading New district leadership appointments

A former sheriff has died

A former sheriff has diedRUSK COUNTY – Residents are mourning the recent death of former Rusk County Sheriff Danny Pirtle, who died last week.

The Kilgore Police Department said former Pirtle, who died at 80 on Friday, spent most of his life protecting East Texas residents. Before becoming the sheriff of Rusk County, Pirtle served as a supervisor in criminal investigations for the police department.

“We lost a great man on Friday night. Sheriff Pirtle has gone on to be with our Lord,” the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said. “He was a devoted husband, father and sheriff of our county. Keep his family in your prayers.”

According to his obituary, Pirtle’s funeral has been scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home of Henderson. A private family burial will be held at Laneville Cemetery at a later date.

Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham’s sister, says she will run for full Senate term

Sen. Darline Graham Nordone participates in a a ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol, July 14, 2026, in Washington. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, confirmed in an interview with Fox News that aired Monday she will run for the seat for a full term, in addition to serving out the rest of Lindsey Graham's unfinished one.

"I've been praying a lot, talking to my family. But with the love of my family, with the support of his staff -- I know I'm a hard worker. I learned that from Lindsey. He cared about the people of this state. I've worked for almost 30 years for the people of this state," she said in the interview.

"I feel like I can do it," she continued. "I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, absolutely."

Asked by Fox News anchor Sean Hannity if she's inclined to get into the race or if she's made a final decision, Darline Graham said, "I've made a decision."

"You're in?" Hannity asked, to which she responded, "I'm in." 

Darline Graham was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to finish the final few months of her brother's current term, which expires in January. She was sworn in last week at the Capitol.

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham's spot on the November general election ballot for a full six-year term is being filled by a special Republican primary election set for August 11. Filing for candidates for the primary opens on Tuesday and closes on July 28. 

Republican Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry of South Carolina have already launched campaigns, as has businessman Mark Lynch, who ran against Lindsey Graham in the state's regular June primary.

But on Friday, President Donald Trump endorsed Darline Graham, encouraging her to run for the seat and writing, "There would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey."

Darline Graham served as a commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and has worked in other state roles, including in roles where she worked with individuals with disabilities.

Darline Graham has spoken about how her brother took care of her after both of their parents passed away when they were young.

Lindsey Graham died unexpectedly on July 11 at the age of 71. Memorial services for the longtime Republican lawmaker will take place in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina next week.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Federal health officials have investigated 5 different clusters of cyclosporiasis cases, FDA says

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a unicellular parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis. (CDC)

(WASHINGTON) -- Federal health officials have been investigating five different clusters of cyclosporiasis cases since the start of parasite season in May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said during a press conference on Monday.

Three of those clusters are considered over, acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas said. Meanwhile, the largest cluster, linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in five states, has seen cases as recently as last week.

The majority of cases have been reported in Michigan, where there are now 6,148 cases, according to an update Monday morning from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). This is an increase of more than 1,000 cases since Friday.

"I want to stress that our investigation continues, including into other potential sources and commodities for other clusters of illnesses," Diamantas said during Monday's press conference. 

So far, the CDC has confirmed 1,644 infections linked to the outbreak in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and has advised the public not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in those five states.

The agency said the true number of cases in the outbreak is "likely much higher than the number reported" because many people recover from the illness without medical care and are not tested for the Cyclospora parasite.

Diamantas also addressed a false positive test result over the weekend from a sample of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico. 

Last week, Taylor Farms de Mexico issued a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico, with the recall affecting 27 states. The recalled products were distributed from June 29 through July 16 and have a best-by dates up to Aug. 3.

Taco Bell said Friday that it is no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico at any of its restaurants.

Over the weekend, the FDA said a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which was not part of the recall, tested positive.

However, the agency later clarified that during a re-review of the sample results, it determined the result was a false positive. Taylor Farms issued a statement on Sunday, saying "we were informed that FDA made a mistake."

"To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora," Taylor Farms wrote in its statement Sunday.

"Based on initial information provided by health officials, in an abundance of caution, we completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico," the Taylor Farms statement continued. "All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products available for purchase, are not involved in the recall."

Diamantas said Monday that the false positive did not change the FDA's findings that linked cases to shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms. 

"I also want to be clear that our weakened communications around a false positive test result do not change the basis for FDA's ongoing outbreak investigation or the epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms,” Diamantas said. 

The FDA similarly shared a post on X Monday afternoon, saying that the epidemiological data supporting the Taylor Farms lettuce recall was "overwhelming."

"FDA's traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico," the FDA's post read, in part. "FDA will continue to work with federal and state partners to investigate this multistate outbreak and ensure products implicated in this outbreak have been removed from the market." 

The CDC said it's also investigating other cyclosporiasis outbreaks and illnesses unrelated to the larger outbreak. At least 29 other states have confirmed domestically acquired cases since May 1, the CDC reports.

Additionally, 440 cases in 35 states have been confirmed among people who ate or drank food or water that made them sick while traveling outside the U.S. in the days before they came ill, according to the CDC.

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Democratic senators want answers about Hegseth’s military testosterone plan

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, walk the final mile of the 12-mile ruck march during E3B on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, Sept. 21, 2024. (U.S. Army)

(WASHINGTON) -- Senate Democrats are pressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers about his directive requiring the military to measure troops' testosterone levels, seeking details on how the policy will be carried out amid concerns over how it will apply to women and whether it could inadvertently encourage service members to self-medicate with potentially dangerous supplements.

In a letter to Hegseth, Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Gary Peters of Michigan, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ruben Gallego of Arizona said the Pentagon has provided little explanation for the new requirement, raising questions about its scientific basis, cost and potential consequences.

"The Department has provided no evidence that this sweeping new policy will improve force readiness or health, nor has it explained the scientific basis, costs, or risks associated with implementing it across the force," the senators wrote.

Last week, Hegseth directed the military to begin screening testosterone levels for all service members, including women, age 30 and older as part of their annual physical health assessments, expanding routine exams that have traditionally focused on baseline health measures such as vision, hearing and other standard medical screenings. Troops under 30 may opt into testing voluntarily, and any recommendation for testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, would also be voluntary for all ages.

The policy has yet to be formally implemented, thus the specifics have not yet been figured out and it remains unclear when service members will begin undergoing testosterone screenings as part of their annual health assessments, though Hegseth directed a plan be ironed out by Aug. 15. 

The cost is also unknown and the Defense Department could require additional medical personnel to be hired for the screenings at routine annual exams.

The move comes as a broader focus on fitness has been core to Hegseth's tenure -- an unusual move for a role traditionally focused on large operations and the macro workings for the Pentagon -- which includes regular videos from the Pentagon of Hegseth working out with troops. 

Hegseth has directed the services to adjust their fitness tests and reassess body-fat standards, including new measurement methods introduced earlier this month. The Army has also begun integrating gender-neutral fitness requirements for soldiers serving in ground combat roles.

Among the unresolved questions are whether service members could face administrative consequences if their testosterone levels fall below a threshold the Pentagon has yet to define and how the policy will apply to women.

"Coupled with the Department's recent repeated efforts to redefine military culture around an exaggerated conception of masculinity, this initiative risks undermining years of work to ensure that women service members are evaluated and valued based solely on their ability to perform the mission," the senators wrote.

Some welcomed the expanded access to testosterone screening and treatment, arguing that obtaining testosterone replacement therapy through Tricare, the military's health insurance program, can be cumbersome. But others warned the policy could create unintended incentives for troops to use unregulated supplements or anabolic steroids to avoid being flagged for potential health issues, while raising concerns about embarrassment for those found to have low testosterone.

"I think this is a great idea on paper, but we need to be careful about how it's implemented," said one official who works in fitness coaching and spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Low testosterone has long been a concern in some parts of the military, particularly within the special operations community, where prolonged stress, intense physical demands and inadequate caloric intake are believed to contribute to lower hormone levels, though there's little detailed research on the subject. 

At the same time, testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, has surged in popularity across podcasts, social media and the broader wellness industry, where it is often promoted as a way to boost energy, muscle mass and overall vitality. Medical experts caution, however, that clinically low testosterone is relatively uncommon.

Testosterone deficiency affects roughly 2% of men, according to the American Urological Association, and physicians have warned that the growing popularity of TRT has created the misleading impression that the condition is far more widespread than medical evidence suggests.

Moreover, factors such as insufficient sleep and poor nutrition can contribute to lower testosterone levels, studies show, two issues the military has long struggled to address.

Nutrition, in particular, has been a persistent challenge across the services, with troops often reporting inconsistent access to high-quality, protein-rich meals. Military dining facilities have faced criticism for menus heavy on fried foods and carbohydrates, sugar, limited portions and operating hours that do not always align with the schedules of service members working long or irregular shifts.

"It's a readiness, retention, recruiting and long-term health issue," Rob Evans, an Army veteran whose app Hots & Cots collects reviews from service members on housing and food on military bases, told ABC News about issues with nutrition on military facilities.

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State grant to help support healthcare workforce careers at Panola College

CARTHAGE — Panola College was recently awarded a $196,000 state grant to support the development of an innovative pathway for students entering the healthcare industry.

According to Panola College, the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education Pathways Design and Planning Grant helps public colleges create and expand workforce education programs in high-demand careers.

For Panola College, the money will be used to design a flexible pathway for healthcare students to pursue a career in phlebotomy, as a CNA, EKG technician or patient care technician.

“This grant reflects Panola College’s commitment to providing innovative educational opportunities that respond directly to the needs of our students, employers, and communities,” Vice President of Instruction at Panola College Natalie Oswalt said. “By creating seamless pathways from workforce training to college credentials, we are opening more doors for students while helping address critical healthcare workforce shortages across East Texas.”

The grant allows the college to develop a plan and roadmap to implement program expansions and support the growth of the healthcare industry in the area, the college added.