AP National News

AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers paused their spending in June from May, defying economic forecasts for a pullback and proving their resilience in the face of an uncertain economy. Retail sales were unchanged in June from May, after being revised upward to a 0.3% increase in May, according to the Commerce Department.

Associated Press This month some of the world’s best surfers will travel to Tahiti, French Polynesia, to compete for Olympic gold on what is known as one of the heaviest waves in the world. Called Teahupo’o, the wave has unique properties that make it difficult to ride, having claimed the life of at least one

Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police in Kenya have hurled tear gas canisters to break up protests in Nairobi and several other towns and cities, accusing the president of poor governance and demanding his resignation, despite his dismissal of nearly the entire Cabinet last week. Businesses in Nairobi remained closed for fear of a

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — With early voting for the November presidential election set to begin in September in some states, there are signs across the country that groups are trying to affect the outcome by using deceptive means — and in most cases in ways that would benefit Republican Donald Trump. The groups’ aim

PARIS (AP) — French prosecutors say the man who stabbed a French soldier on foot patrol outside a big train station in Paris has been taken to a psychiatric hospital. Paris is under a high security alert with just 10 days until the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. On Tuesday, the Paris Prosecutor’s office

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — With early voting for the November presidential election set to begin in September in some states, there are signs across the country that groups are trying to affect the outcome by using deceptive means — and in most cases in ways that would benefit Republican Donald Trump. The groups’ aim

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — The leader of the Welsh government says he will resign amid a campaign donation scandal. First Minister Vaughan Gething said Tuesday that “I have this morning taken the difficult decision to begin the process of stepping down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and, as a result, First Minister.”

Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Some European Union leaders are protesting what they see as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s misuse of the bloc’s rotating presidency by boycotting a meeting hosted by Hungary. Officials are angry that Orbán, a nationalist populist who is seen as having the warmest ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin

AP Retail Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart has spent three years overhauling its mix of adult apparel to make it stylish as well as sensible for middle America. Now, the nation’s largest retailer is seizing the back-to-school shopping season to take another shot at fashion respectability. The company plans to relaunch its 30-year-old brand

Associated Press DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 60 Palestinians in southern and central Gaza, including a blast that hit an Israeli-declared “safe zone” crowded with thousands of displaced people. The day’s deadliest strike came Tuesday afternoon, hitting near a gas station outside the southern city of Khan Younis

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are trying to offer political counterprograming to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, announcing $15 million to fund campaign operations in seven key swing states — even as some in the party have urged President Joe Biden to bow out of November’s election. The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Former NATO leader George Robertson will lead a review of Britain’s military strategy. He says it is needed to counter what he calls the “deadly quartet” of China, Iran, Russia and North Korea. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the strategic defense review on Tuesday as one of his first major

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian Shiite Muslims are commemorating Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith. Tehran and other cities across the country were adorned with symbols of Shiite piety and repentance. Red flags represented Hussein’s blood, black funeral tents and clothes

KAUMAKANI, Hawaii (AP) — Officials have lifted an evacuation notice for about 200 homes in a small, rural community on the Hawaiian island of Kauai after fully containing a wind-swept wildfire. The fast-moving blaze between Hanapepe and Kaumakani prompted officials to alert residents of the need to flee Monday afternoon using sirens, text messages and

MOSCOW (AP) — Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is scheduled to appear in court in Russia on Thursday for the second hearing in his trial on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently deny. The trial is taking place behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg, a city in the Ural Mountains

Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden returned to the campaign trail on Tuesday for the first time since the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, continuing his calls to calm the divisive rhetoric on both sides but also arguing that doing so “doesn’t mean we should stop telling the truth” about his Republican

Associated Press DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — Officials say Pakistani security forces, after nearly an 18-hour long operation, have killed all ten militants who attacked a military facility in the northwest, leaving eight soldiers dead. In a statement Tuesday, the military said eight soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber early Monday rammed his