AP The Morning Wire

"Mass prayer in D.C." and "China agrees to boost trade for U.S. agricultural products."

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By Nadja Lovadinov May 18, 2026

Welcome back to Morning Wire and thanks for joining us as we kick off the week. In the news today: A look at Sunday’s Rededicate 250 mass prayer rally in Washington; China agrees to boost trade for U.S. agricultural products; and parents of newborns push for NICU leave. Also, the journey of a Michigan student who will become the first woman to represent the U.S. at a world welding competition. Teddy May, from Mobile, Ala., kneels while worshiping during Rededicate 250, on the National Mall Sunday in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) POLITICS Thousands flock to the National Mall in Washington for an America-themed prayer rally The event on Sunday was billed as a “rededication of our country as One Nation under God.” Most speakers celebrated Christianity’s ties to American history, a blending of ideas that critics flagged ahead of the prayer gathering as supporting Christian nationalism. Read more.

Why this matters: The event was organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership backed by the White House. Congressional Democrats have questioned the nonprofit’s structure and finances. President Donald Trump read a passage of Scripture in a video shown at the rally. Filmed in the Oval Office, it was the same footage used during a marathon Bible-reading event last month. The verses from 2 Chronicles are often cited by those who believe America was founded as a Christian nation, a narrative disputed by many historians and other religious traditions.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Photos of the Washington prayer rally Cassidy tried to get along with Trump after his impeachment vote. Retribution came anyway   Redistricting debate shifts to South Carolina as Republicans seek clean sweep of US House seats   New Virginia law banning ‘assault firearms’ prompts quick lawsuits from gun-rights groups In the birthplace of Civil Rights Movement, groups rally to defend Black political representation Wife of US Army sergeant released from federal immigration custody WORLD NEWS China agrees to boost trade for US ag products such as beef and poultry following Trump-Xi summit The White House announced Sunday that China will buy at an annualized rate of $17 billion per year for 2026 and at that level for 2027 and 2028. The deals are on top of previous commitments to buy U.S. soybeans. Read more.

Why this matters: The agreement comes as China sharply cut back on U.S. imports last year after Trump launched a trade war against the country. It offers some hope to American farmers harmed by the trade war as they saw a major export market dry up. The agreement includes restoring market access for U.S. beef and resuming poultry imports from certain states. There was no immediate confirmation of the terms from Beijing, but China on Saturday had signaled progress.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Takeaways from Trump’s trip to China Trump returns from Chinese state visit to face economic challenges at home Taiwan’s president defends US arms purchases that Trump called ‘bargaining chip’ WATCH: US farmers turning to automation amid labor shortages and aging workforce US NEWS Tiny patients, big fight: NICU parents win leave in 2 states and push for more Colorado became the first state to adopt paid neonatal intensive care unit leave. Illinois will soon guarantee unpaid leave for NICU parents. Read more.

Why this matters: Parental leave for parents with newborns in intensive care often doesn’t account for the time their newborns spend in the NICU. Many choose to keep working while the baby is in the NICU to save parental leave for when the baby comes home. While advocates want more states to adopt NICU leave, a major focus now is galvanizing support for a federal bill to add NICU leave to the Family and Medical Leave Act.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Mom of a preemie crochets colorful yarn octopi for tiny tots at Detroit hospital NICU ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ LIRR: Talks to end a strike shutting down the largest US commuter rail system will resume Monday Idaho air show crash: 4 crew members eject safely after two Navy jets collide Austin violence: Teenagers arrested in random shootings across that left 4 injured PGA Championship: Aaron Rai is first English-born winner in more than a century Shakira: Pop star acquitted in a Spanish tax fraud case ACM Awards: Ella Langley dominates and Cody Johnson wins entertainer of the year Today in History: In 1980, the Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state erupted WATCH Historic victory: Bulgaria welcomes home Eurovision winner Dara Soccer: North Korean women’s team makes rare visit to South Korea for tournament A CHANGE OF PACE Student Mikala Sposito welds at Washtenaw Community College on May 1, in Ann Arbor., Mich. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) Trailblazing in welding “I always wanted to be the first female to do something.” Those are the words of Mikala Sposito, a community college student from Michigan, who is achieving that goal. This year, Sposito won a national competition, giving her the chance to be the first woman to represent the United States in welding at the WorldSkills Competition in China, often called the Olympics of the skilled trades. Watch the sparks fly as Sposito works and hear how she hopes to inspire other women.

Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja

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