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Where Virginia and Maryland rank on the US News 'Best States' list 07/31/2026 04:22am • U.S. News and World Report is not settling the Virginia vs. Maryland debate. Virginia ranks slightly higher than Maryland in the publication's 2026 "Best States" rankings, but neither state is in the top 10. Virginia is in 19th place and Maryland is 21st. Evan Comen, senior data editor at U.S. Asian soccer body says FIFA’s private equity plan for World Cup cannot unite the sport 07/31/2026 04:21am • KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Asian soccer body says FIFA’s private equity plan for World Cup cannot unite the sport. Today in History: July 31, Phelps sets Olympic medal record 07/31/2026 04:10am • Today is Friday, July 31, the 212th day of 2026. There are 153 days left in the year. Today in history: On July 31, 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, swimmer Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. (He would finish his career with 28 total Braves host the Nationals, try to continue home win streak 07/31/2026 04:00am • Washington Nationals (55-55, fourth in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (64-45, first in the NL East) Atlanta; Friday, 7:15 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Foster Griffin (12-2, 2.76 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 113 strikeouts); Braves: Bryce Elder (6-6, 3.96 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 98 strikeouts) LINE: Braves -1 Marlins look to end road losing streak, take on the Mets 07/31/2026 04:00am • Miami Marlins (55-55, third in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (47-63, fifth in the NL East) New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Janson Junk (4-6, 4.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 57 strikeouts); Mets: Freddy Peralta (5-9, 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 113 strikeouts) LINE: Mets -132, Marlins +10 Pirates bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Reds 07/31/2026 04:00am • Pittsburgh Pirates (55-55, third in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (51-57, fifth in the NL Central) Cincinnati; Friday, 6:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Paul Skenes (9-9, 3.65 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 149 strikeouts); Reds: Hunter Greene (2-2, 7.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 29 strikeouts) LINE: Pirates Giants bring 1-0 series advantage over Padres into game 2 07/31/2026 04:00am • San Francisco Giants (47-62, fourth in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (55-54, third in the NL West) San Diego; Friday, 9:45 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Carson Whisenhunt (2-1, 4.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Padres: Bradgley Rodriguez (2-2, 2.33 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 47 strikeouts) BOTTOM Africa's off-grid solar sector courts mainstream investors with landmark financing deals 07/31/2026 03:17am • NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Landmark fundraising deals by two of Africa’s largest off-grid solar companies are raising hopes that private capital markets could become a major source of funding to help bring electricity to millions of homes lacking access to reliable power. A $50 million green bond iss 18 people die trying to reach Spanish exclave of Ceuta as Spain sends military to reinforce border with Morocco 07/31/2026 03:16am • MADRID (AP) — 18 people die trying to reach Spanish exclave of Ceuta as Spain sends military to reinforce border with Morocco. Man arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a UK military base for Iran 07/31/2026 03:11am • LONDON (AP) — A London man has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying on a U.K. air force base on the Mediterranean island on behalf of Iran, British police said Friday. London’s Metropolitan Police force said 44-year-old Rashad Sultanov, a U.K.-Azerbaijani national, is alleged to have c Pakistani officials say 4 bodies located among the 10 international climbers missing since an avalanche on Broad Peak 07/31/2026 03:02am • ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani officials say 4 bodies located among the 10 international climbers missing since an avalanche on Broad Peak. 34 miners killed in a methane explosion at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan 07/31/2026 02:54am • QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A methane gas explosion at a coal mine in southwestern Pakistan killed 34 miners, authorities said on Friday, despite an overnight rescue attempt. Rescuers recovered 32 bodies from the mine on the outskirts of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, and were working to Sumitomo Mitsui: Fiscal Q1 Earnings Snapshot 07/31/2026 02:46am • TOKYO (AP) — TOKYO (AP) — Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (SMFG) on Friday reported net income of $3.15 billion in its fiscal first quarter. The Tokyo-based bank said it had earnings of 50 cents per share. The bank posted revenue of $17.89 billion in the period. Its revenue net of interest Ugandan opposition leader Besigye is unconscious in hospital after collapsing in court, wife says 07/31/2026 02:46am • KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been hospitalized and is unconscious after he collapsed during a courtroom session of his treason trial, according to his wife and others who are urging authorities to set him free after repeated bail denials. Besigye fell in the d South Korea’s Kospi jumps nearly 18%, its largest ever single-day gain, as AI-related stocks rebound from heavy losses 07/31/2026 02:39am • BANGKOK (AP) — South Korea’s Kospi jumps nearly 18%, its largest ever single-day gain, as AI-related stocks rebound from heavy losses.