July 2, 2026 4:09 am
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s capital with missiles and drones that has killed at least 13 people and injured 86. Authorities said residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were damaged across the city from the attack overnight into Thursday. Rescue workers and equipment were deployed to handle the aftermath of the attack, and the toll may rise. Many residents took shelter at metro stations. Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, even as Ukraine’s own long-range drone campaign against Russian military sites and energy facilities has caused fuel shortages and disrupted supply lines inside Russia. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defenses.
July 1, 2026 4:43 am
Russia likely used shadow ships to launch drones over Europe that repeatedly disrupted civilian aviation, as it monitored military sites and tested the air defenses of NATO nations. That’s according to a report published Thursday by the International Institute of Strategic Studies think tank. The report was shared before publication with The Associated Press. It plotted 144 suspected drone sightings across Europe between 2024 and 2026, including in several NATO countries. Those sightings peaked in late 2025, forcing the temporary closure of several European airports, including in Germany, Spain and Denmark.
July 2, 2026 4:06 am
New Jersey is set to charge companies whose workers have Medicaid health coverage. California’s lawmakers are calling on their state to lay out a plan for doing the same thing next year. It’s an idea that other states have considered this year as new federal policies mean fewer people have coverage and states have to foot more of the bill when they do. The affected companies oppose it. So do some liberal organizations, who fear that it will make it harder for lower-income people to get and keep jobs — and could discourage some from getting Medicaid coverage.
July 2, 2026 4:04 am
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican has responded aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent. The Vatican on Thursday declared the Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and warning its faithful. The Vatican’s doctrine office went above and beyond the minimal sanctions foreseen by the church’s canon law to respond to the consecrations Wednesday of four new bishops at the society’s Econe, Switzerland, seminary. The Vatican has excommunicated the four new bishops and the two bishops that participated in the ceremony. It declared the consecrations a “schismatic act” and declared that the society itself had created a schism, or intentional rupture with the Catholic Church.
July 2, 2026 5:46 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding is set to begin at New York’s Madison Square Garden at 5 p.m. Friday. The event could last until 4 a.m. the next morning. A city permit obtained by The Associated Press confirms the details. The application for a “special event” was approved Wednesday night by New York City’s permitting office. Several people familiar with the matter have confirmed the permit is tied to the wedding. A pre-party celebration for 100 guests is planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Swift’s representative has not responded to requests for comment. (Photo: AP)
July 1, 2026 1:52 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Two people have gotten to the top of the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about “the power of love” before starting to descend. They have since been arrested. News helicopter video showed the black-clad people balancing on a ledge on top of the antenna at midday Wednesday. It’s unclear how they gained access to the antenna. It rises well above public areas of the 102-story building. A message seeking comment has been sent to the building’s management. The banner reads: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
July 1, 2026 8:18 am
Kroger plans to buy Pittsburgh-based grocery chain Giant Eagle. In a news release, Kroger announced a definitive agreement to acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, which includes 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. “Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional grocer with a strong reputation for fresh products, pharmacy, private label and customer loyalty,” said Greg Foran, Chief Executive Officer at Kroger. “We evaluated the opportunity carefully, and the strategic fit is clear. Giant Eagle expands our reach into attractive adjacent markets, allowing us to do what we do best: Run outstanding stores, deliver fresh foods and convenient meal solutions at affordable prices, and take care of our customers and associates every single day.” “Today’s announcement marks an exciting next chapter for our Team Members, customers, vendors and community partners,” said Bill Artman, Chief Executive Officer at Giant Eagle. Artman says Giant Eagle will keep its name and will continue to run their Giant Eagle Supermarket, Giant Eagle Pharmacy, and Market District brands as a division of Kroger. In addition, Artman says Kroger also plans to keep Giant Eagle’s myPerks loyalty program “while exploring additional opportunities to expand its reach.” The release from Kroger stated that Kroger and Giant Eagle expect to make “limited Giant Eagle store divestitures” to complete the transaction. It’s unknown how many stores will be sold off.The transaction is expected to close in 2027.
July 1, 2026 4:52 am
CECIL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A 93-year-old West Virginia man is facing charges in connection with a crash that left a motorcyclist dead last year. Charges have been filed against William Johnston of Wellsburg, W.Va. He faces homicide by vehicle and other traffic violations. Police say he was behind the wheel of an SUV that crashed into 67-year-old John Dinsmore’s motorcycle on Oct. 6. Dinsmore was pronounced dead at the scene in the 3800 block of Millers Run Road in Cecil Township. According to court documents, officers spoke with Johnston at the scene. He told police he was traveling westbound when the “front end of his car came up” and he thought he “was going to flip over.” Johnston also said he was wearing glasses and could not see any vehicles in his way. Police said a witness at the scene said he had been traveling behind Johnston in the westbound lane. The witness said Johnston was swerving slightly and then suddenly turned left, into the oncoming lane, crashing into the motorcycle. Johnston is scheduled to appear in court in August.
July 1, 2026 1:48 am
Charleroi Borough officials say the extreme heat is forcing them to change their schedule this week. A council agenda meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday at four o’clock has been cancelled. Additionally, officials say borough staff will only work until noon on Wednesday and then borough offices will be closed for the remainder of the week and will re-open on Monday, July 6th.
July 1, 2026 5:02 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this weekend, the legislative branch has momentarily called it quits. House leadership abruptly canceled votes Tuesday and sent lawmakers home early. Speaker Mike Johnson’s majority was once again ground to a standstill by rebellious Republicans refusing their own party’s agenda. In this case, it’s a standoff blocking the annual defense bill. Renegade Republicans are pushing to include President Donald Trump’s own priority, the SAVE America Act, a strict voter ID bill. Last week, the Senate similarly shuttered after Trump’s demands. The emptying Capitol provides another snapshot of the imbalance of power in Washington as a headstrong executive confronts a weakened Congress.
