AP Top Business News at 2:23 p.m. EDT

The US national debt now stands at $40 trillionPressure builds anew in the bond market as Walmart drags the US stock market lowerWalmart is cautious with expectations after slowest sales growth in 6 yearsCash-hungry college sports programs are starting nonprofits to make money to stay competitivePrices soar as Gaza smuggling booms. Officials, soldiers and middlemen are accused of cashing inTrump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm racesMeta defends its child safety efforts but critics say the social media giant falls shortAs workplace surveillance grows, experts say it's good to know the ways your employer is watchingIran dismisses US economic threats, and other developments in the Middle EastAlibaba quarterly profit drops 75% as AI investment spending grows