4:40 a.m. EDT National News Summary

AP PHOTOS: Shooting at Trump rally in Pennsylvania

Donald Trump was the apparent target of an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Former President Trump, with his ear bleeding from what he claimed was a gunshot, was swiftly taken away by Secret Service agents. His campaign assured the public that he was “fine.” A local prosecutor confirmed that the suspected gunman and at least one attendee were deceased. Additionally, the Secret Service reported that two spectators were critically injured.

France’s Bastille Day parade coincides with the Olympic torch relay this year

PARIS (AP) — Paris is welcoming a special guest for France’s national holiday this Sunday. The Olympic torch relay will merge with thousands of troops parading in Paris alongside roaring fighter jets to commemorate Bastille Day. This event precedes the highly anticipated and closely guarded Summer Games to be held in the French capital. Families throughout France celebrate the occasion with picnics and fireworks. Bastille Day marks the historic storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, symbolizing the onset of the French Revolution.

Richard Simmons, renowned fitness guru known for merging humor and exercise, passes away at 76

NEW YORK (AP) — Fitness icon Richard Simmons has passed away. His publicist confirmed that Simmons died in Los Angeles on Saturday, a day after his 76th birthday. Simmons, known for his jovial approach to physical fitness, established a fitness empire with his signature tank tops and shorts, encouraging individuals struggling with weight issues to engage in exercise and improve their diets. Having experienced a personal weight loss journey, Simmons shared his tips through hosting the Emmy-winning “Richard Simmons Show” and creating the popular “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” exercise videos.

First Titanic expedition in 14 years follows tragedy involving a submersible

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The company holding the salvage rights to the Titanic is embarking on its first expedition to the ship’s wreckage in 14 years. Participants in the mission express a mix of emotions and ambitious objectives for the journey. RMS Titanic Inc., based in Georgia, possesses the legal authority to retrieve artifacts from the ship that sank in 1912. Departing from Providence, Rhode Island, the company’s expedition set sail on Friday. This voyage occurs amidst lingering grief within the global underwater exploration community following a fatal incident involving the Titan submersible en route to the Titanic over a year ago.

Alec Baldwin’s legal case hinges on mishandling of ammunition

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The case against Alec Baldwin revolved around the handling of bullets, from the initial stages to its abrupt conclusion. During Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, a judge halted proceedings due to the prosecution’s failure to disclose evidence related to ammunition to the defense. The source of the lethal ammunition found in Baldwin’s revolver on the set of the film “Rust” remains inconclusive. The conclusion of the trial may have closed off opportunities for further inquiry, although civil lawsuits against Baldwin and the film’s producers persist.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, pioneering sex therapist in America, passes away at 96

NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the petite sex therapist who achieved fame as a media personality, author, and advocate for open conversations about intimate topics, has died at the age of 96. Westheimer urged her audience of millions to engage in discussions about formerly taboo sexual matters, emphasizing that there is no shame in addressing such issues. With her distinctive giggly, German-accented voice and diminutive stature, Westheimer became a surprising and successful voice for “sexual literacy.” She passed away surrounded by family at her home in New York City.

Asia’s wealthiest man’s son weds in lavish ceremony

MUMBAI, India (AP) — The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest individual, has married his longtime partner in a ceremony dubbed the wedding of the year. Attendees include global celebrities, industry magnates, and political figures, underscoring the billionaire’s immense wealth and influence. The extravagant wedding festivities took place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre and the family residence in Mumbai. Notable guests such as former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser, as well as Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake, and David Beckham, were in attendance.

Griff embarks on debut album tour after opening for top pop artists

British singer-songwriter Griff’s rise to fame has been rapid and unexpected. Within two years of releasing her first single, she won the Brit Award for Rising Star and opened for renowned artists such as Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift. Amidst her busy schedule of solo performances and music releases, she crafted her debut album, “Vertigo.” Griff, also known as Sarah Faith Griffiths, reflects on the emotional highs and lows of her journey in her latest album. “Vertigo” is now available for audiences to experience.

LL Cool J returns to rap with new album after 11 years

NEW YORK (AP) — LL COOL J, the Grammy-winning rapper, actor, and author, is set to release his first album in 11 years, titled “The FORCE,” on September 6. Entering his 40th year in the hip-hop industry, LL COOL J has dedicated himself to creating new music over the past two years, with collaborations including A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip. This album aims to demonstrate that veteran artists like LL COOL J can continue to make an impact on contemporary hip-hop.

NYC beach drones face opposition from birds during shark surveillance

NEW YORK (AP) — A program employing surveillance drones to monitor swimmers and sharks on New York City beaches has encountered resistance from shorebirds. City officials report that the drones have been attacked by birds, leading to temporary grounding of the devices since the program’s launch in May. Efforts are being made to avoid areas where birds nest, yet the attacks persist. Wildlife experts caution that the drones could disturb the birds, prompting them to abandon their nests. American oystercatchers have been the primary aggressors, with piping plovers, an endangered species, also present on the beach.