News without an agenda. AP is a not-for-profit organization with no corporate parent, no shareholders and no government influence. Our mission is journalism, not profit margins. Your donation supports independent reporting that serves the public interest, not corporate shareholders. Donate today.
|
|
|
Welcome back. New York is buzzing about the Knicks’ record-breaking comeback against the Spurs. Also in the headlines today: Trump says “I love the inflation” after a new report shows it’s even higher; Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Southern Baptists advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors; and Pope Leo XIV honors Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia.
|
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
|
Trump has a new, surprising take on the higher cost of living: ‘I love the inflation’
|
When asked about the new report that the consumer price index in May had jumped 4.2% over the last year, the president took a surprisingly optimistic tack with the challenging news. Read more.
|
|
|
|
- His optimistic take was unexpected given that voters ahead of the November midterm elections have ranked the economy as a top concern — and have given President Donald Trump low marks on that issue. Within minutes of his on-camera comment, Democrats quickly rushed to promote it on social media.
Trump had pledged in his 2024 campaign to quickly vanquish inflation, but his argument now is that higher prices are solely a function of the Iran war raising energy costs. On Wednesday, he claimed that relief is already on its way because of a secret military operation that had ferried what he said was 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
|
|
|
Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Epstein, calls meeting him a ‘grave error in judgment’
|
Bill Gates said Wednesday that he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” but that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.” Read more.
|
|
|
The tech billionaire became the latest powerful figure linked to the disgraced financier to testify before the House Oversight Committee. As Gates arrived at the Capitol, he noted that his appearance was voluntary. He did not take questions from reporters at the conclusion of the interview late Wednesday afternoon. Most Democratic members who participated in Wednesday's questioning described Gates as cooperative. They said some of the most useful information he provided involved other influential people in Epstein’s orbit. Lawmakers also said they pressed Gates on why he continued interacting with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
|
|
|
Southern Baptists advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors
|
Thousands of Southern Baptists overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to advance a formal ban on women pastors in the nation's largest Protestant denomination, sending a clear message that men alone should preach to these conservative evangelical congregations. Read more.
|
|
|
The vote was a 3-to-1 margin, which easily exceeded the required two-thirds majority. It will require a similar two-thirds vote at next year's meeting to become part of the constitution. The amendment would tighten existing restrictions in the Southern Baptist Convention, which already has a faith statement opposing women pastors.
|
|
|
Pope Leo XIV attends the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
|
A masterpiece of ‘stones, colors and light’
The Sagrada Familia’s central tower has officially been completed. An estimated 120,000 people lined the streets of Barcelona on Wednesday as Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass to inaugurate the final soaring spire, which has made it the world’s tallest church. The moment was a century in the making. Construction began during the pontificate of Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII. Before the pope’s visit, we got a private tour from rector Josep Turull. You can check out the hidden gems he showed us here.
|
|
|
|
That’s all from me today, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can invite a friend to subscribe here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja
|
|
|
|
|
That’s all from me today, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can invite a friend to subscribe here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja
|
|
|
|
|
*Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here.
|
|
|
|
|
