By STAN CHOE, Associated Press Business Writers

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is holding relatively steady on Wednesday following a mixed set of profit reports from such giants as McDonald’s and The Walt Disney Co.

The S&P 500 was up 0.2% in morning trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 20 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 10:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.3% higher.

Related Articles

New study sheds light on ChatGPT’s alarming interactions with teens

Many Delaware beachgoers feel the sting of a blooming jellyfish population

Disney’s 3Q profit climbs on strength of domestic parks, streaming; strikes deal with WWE

Judge considers whether Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center violates environmental law

Oregon man accused of killing 3 women and dumping their bodies is indicted on fourth murder charge

McDonald’s and Shopify rose following their profit reports, while Super Micro Computer tumbled after its earnings and revenue for the latest quarter came in below analysts’ expectations. Disney fell after its earnings beat forecasts but its revenue fell short

The mixed trading continues a cooldown for the U.S. stock market after it swung from its worst day since May on Friday to its best since May on Monday. Worries are high that President Donald Trump’s tariffs may be hurting the economy, but hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a parade of stronger-than-expected profit reports from U.S. companies have helped steady the market.

McDonald’s climbed 2.6% after the restaurant chain reported stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Its U.S. restaurants benefited from customers paying more at each of their visits, while a meal tied to the “Minecraft” movie proved to be a hit.

Shopify jumped 20.2% after the company, which helps businesses sell on the internet, said it made more in revenue last quarter than expected. Analysts also said the company’s forecast for revenue in the current quarter suggests the strong trends are continuing.

Arista Networks was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500 and leaped 16.8% after the networking company delivered a bigger profit for the latest quarter than expected. Its forecast for revenue in the current quarter also topped forecasts.

They helped offset a 20% drop for Super Micro Computer, which gave back some of the huge gains the server maker has made recently. Super Micro came into the day with a nearly 88% gain for its stock so far this year, but it reported weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that fell short of what Wall Street had penciled in.

Disney dropped 3.4% after its profit beat forecasts but its revenue fell short. Analysts said investors may have been looking for Disney to boost its profit forecast by a bigger amount.

The NFL also announced that it had entered into a nonbinding agreement with Disney’s ESPN, which will give the sports broadcaster the NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel. The NFL will get a 10% stake in ESPN in the proposed deal.

Chip company Advanced Micro Devices fell 7.9% after its profit for the latest quarter only matched analysts’ expectations. Analysts said the company’s financial forecasts for upcoming results also looked solid, but that may not have been enough for investors after its stock had already soared 44.3% for the year so far coming into the day.

Companies are under pressure to deliver bigger profits in order to justify the big gains their stock prices have made since the U.S. market hit a low point in April. The S&P 500 is just a bit below its record, which was set late last month, and the big rally fueled criticism that the broad market has become too expensive.

In the bond market, Treasury yields also held relatively steady.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.21% from 4.22% late Tuesday. It’s well below where it was last week, before Friday’s much weaker-than-expected report on the U.S. job market ignited worries that Trump’s tariffs are pushing employers to hold back on hiring.

That report has traders on Wall Street betting heavily that the Federal Reserve will need to cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. Such cuts can give the economy and investments prices a boost, but they also can push inflation higher.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly across much of Europe and Asia.

AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.

By SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — In China, wait times for U.S. visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the U.S., and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged.

President Donald Trump’s administration has been pressuring U.S. colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration.

Related Articles

China tackles chikungunya virus outbreak with wide range of measures as thousands fall ill

Wife of South Korea’s ousted ex-President Yoon appears for questioning over corruption allegations

Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing as aging survivors worry about growing nuke threat

Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace deadline, the Kremlin says

Today in History: August 6, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

The U.S. government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants’ social media accounts.

The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on U.S. universities — and the nation’s economy — may be significant.

New international enrollment in the U.S. could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education.

That would deprive the U.S. economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets.

Britain stands to gain as the US takes ‘a massive hit’

As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit.

The country’s new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional “big four” English-speaking destinations in higher education — the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia.

After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the U.K. this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the U.S. also reached nearly 8,000 students — an increase of 14% and a 20-year high.

Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the U.K. grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions.

Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the U.S., Canada and Europe. “But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting,” he said.

Staying in Asia is becoming more popular

Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the U.S. or U.K.

“Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19,” Kwong said. “But obviously it’s been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S.”

Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said.

Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in the U.S.

But she is also looking into other options “just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs,” said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted.

Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the U.S., the city’s leader John Lee has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time.

Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the U.S. and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost on institutional data and research.

Upheaval could be a boon for countries with satellite campuses

Countries including the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the U.S.

Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions’ satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025.

FILE – An Emirati student arrives at the building of the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai’s private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the U.S. for college.

“Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard,” she said. “But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying.”

Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped U.S. universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia.

“All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access,” Palm said, “because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and can’t.”

Associated Press writers Kanis Leung in Hong Kong; Albee Zhang in Washington, D.C.; and Gabe Levin in Dubai contributed.

The golden sand, waving palms and hopefully a tropical drink with way too many fruits and liquors in it – it’s hard to beat an island vacation.

Related Articles

Shaq shines in role as ‘Chief Fun Officer’ at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Bahamas resort

Why I decided to visit Portugal, and why ‘everyone’ is moving there

State Department may require visa applicants to post bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US

Female tour guides in Afghanistan lead women-only groups as some travelers return

What are America’s best cities for sober traveling?

But with several hundred thousand islands in the world, where should you go? The travel-technology company Expedia has some suggestions in its new “Island Hot List” for 2025.

Using travelers’ criteria on affordable prices, good flight access, standout accommodations and tourism appeal, the company chose 10 island escapes worth your time and money. It also provided the strongest argument for each destination. Aruba ranks best for unbeatable sunny weather, for instance, and the Dominican Republic ranks highly for adventure potential.

Writes Expedia: “These destinations go beyond the postcard – embracing sustainability, authenticity and cultural richness.”

The Expedia Island Hot List 2025

1 Aruba: best for year-round sunshine

2 Bali, Indonesia: best for relaxation

3 Dominican Republic: best for adventure

4 Fiji: best for community

5 Jamaica: best for culture

6 Koh Samui, Thailand: best for affordable luxury

A beach scene from Meedhupparu in the Maldives. (Dreamstime/TNS)

7 Maldives: best for romance

8 Oahu, Hawaii: best for surfing

9 Paros, Greece: best for nightlife

10 Sardinia, Italy: best for food lovers

Source: www.expedia.com/see/islandhotlist

By GARY FIELDS and JACK DURA, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wednesday is the 60th anniversary of the day President Lyndon Johnson made his way to the U.S. Capitol and, with Martin Luther King Jr. standing behind him, signed the Voting Rights Act into law.

The act protected the right to vote and ensured the government would fight efforts to suppress it, especially those aimed at Black voters. For many Americans, it was the day U.S. democracy fully began.

Related Articles

Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace deadline, the Kremlin says

Toppled Confederate statue in DC to be replaced in line with Trump’s executive order

Michigan Gov. Whitmer makes another White House visit to meet with Trump

RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development

US won’t seek death penalty for Mexican drug lords Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero

That was then.

The law has been slowly eroding for more than a decade, starting with the 2013 Supreme Court decision ending the requirement that all or parts of 15 states with a history of discrimination in voting get federal approval before changing the way they hold elections. Within hours of the ruling, some states that had been under the preclearance provision began announcing plans for stricter voting laws.

Those changes have continued, especially since the 2020 presidential election and President Donald Trump’s false claims that widespread fraud cost him reelection. The Supreme Court upheld a key part of the Voting Rights Act in 2023, but in its upcoming term it’s scheduled to hear a case that could roll back that decision and another that would effectively neuter the law.

Voting rights experts say those cases will largely determine whether a landmark law passed during a turbulent era decades ago will have future anniversaries to mark.

“We’re at a critical juncture right now,” said Demetria McCain, director of policy at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. “And, let’s be clear, our democracy is only about to turn 60 when the Voting Rights Act anniversary gets here. I say that because there are so many attacks on voting rights, particularly as it relates to Black communities and communities of color.”

Native Americans celebrate a win that could be temporary

The reservation of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is about 10 miles from the Canadian border, a region of forests, small lakes and vast prairie land. Its main highway is a mix of small houses, mobile homes and businesses. A gleaming casino and hotel stand out, not far from grazing bison.

In 2024, the tribe and another in North Dakota, the Spirit Lake Tribe, formed a joint political district for the first time. They had filed a lawsuit arguing that the way lines were drawn for state legislative seats denied them the right to elect candidates of their choice. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter Welte agreed and put a new map in place.

State Rep. Collette Brown ran for the legislature because she wanted to see more Native American representation, and she won under the new map.

FILE – North Dakota Democratic Rep. Collette Brown is seen on May 1, 2025, during a bill signing in Memorial Hall of the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, File)

“It felt surreal. I felt accomplished, I felt recognized,” said Brown, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and the Spirit Lake Tribe’s Gaming Commission executive director. “I felt, OK, it’s time for us to really start making change and really start educating from within so that we’re not silenced.”

Brown, a Democrat, co-sponsored several bills on Native American issues that became law, including aid for repatriation of remains and artifacts and alerts for missing Indigenous people.

This year’s anniversary of the Voting Rights Act “forces you to look at how far we’ve come,” from Native Americans to women, said Jamie Azure, chairman of the Turtle Mountain tribe.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure poses for a photo near a tepee on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center on the tribe’s reservation near Belcourt, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

Now the future of their district is in the hands of the Supreme Court.

Will individuals be allowed to file voting rights challenges?

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers North Dakota and six other states, overturned Welte’s decision 2-1, saying the tribes and entities such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU do not have a right to sue over potential violations of voters’ constitutional rights.

That ruling expanded on an earlier 8th Circuit opinion out of Arkansas that rejected a different challenge on the same grounds. Late last month, a 3rd Circuit court panel ruled in a separate case out of Arkansas that only the U.S. attorney general can file such cases — not private individuals or groups.

Those decisions upended decades of precedent. The Supreme Court has stayed the ruling for the tribes while it decides whether it will take the North Dakota case.

The University of Michigan Law School Voting Rights Initiative found that since 1982 nearly 87% of claims under that part of the Voting Rights Act, known as Section 2, were from private individuals and organizations.

Leaving individuals without the ability to file challenges is especially troublesome now because the Justice Department under Trump, a Republican, seems focused on other priorities, said Sophia Lin Lakin, who heads the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.

The government’s voting rights unit has been dismantled and given new priorities that, she said, have turned enforcement “against the very people it was created to protect.”

The Justice Department declined to answer questions about its voting rights priorities, cases it is pursuing or whether it would be involved in the voting rights cases coming before the nation’s highest court.

Supreme Court weighs another case on race and congressional districts

Two years ago, voting rights activists celebrated when the Supreme Court preserved Section 2 in a case out of Alabama that required the state to draw an addition congressional district to benefit Black voters. Now it’s poised to rehear a similar case out of Louisiana that could modify or undo that decision.

The court heard the case in March but did not make a decision during the term. In an order on Friday, the court asked the lawyers to supply briefs explaining “whether the State’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.”

Robert Weiner, the director of voting rights for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said while it is a “matter of concern” that the court is asking the question, the fact the nine justices did not reach a decision during the last term suggests there weren’t five votes already.

“They wouldn’t need re-argument if the sides had already been chosen,“ he said.

Trump’s Justice Department shifts focus on voting issues

At a time when the remaining protections of the Voting Rights Act are under threat, the Justice Department has shifted its election-related priorities.

Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, it has dropped or withdrawn from several election- and voting-related cases. The department instead has focused on concerns of voter fraud raised by conservative activists following years of false claims surrounding elections.

The department also has sent requests for voter registration information as well as data on election fraud and warnings of election violations to at least 19 states.

In addition to the shift in focus at the Justice Department, federal legislation to protect voting rights has gone nowhere. Democrats have reintroduced the John Lewis voting rights bill, but it’s legislation they failed to pass in 2022 when they held both houses of Congress and the White House and needed some Republican support in the Senate.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order seeking to overhaul voting in the states, which includes a documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement on the federal voting form, though much of it has been blocked in the courts. The GOP-controlled House passed a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. And gerrymandering state legislative and congressional districts remains prevalent.

The slow chipping away at the 60-year-old law has created a nation with an unequal distribution of voting rights, said Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the voting rights center at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. Some states have been active in expanding access to voting while others have been focused on restricting the vote.

“The last five to 10 years,” he said, “the experiences of voters increasingly depend on where they live.”

Dura reported from Belcourt, N.D. Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.