AP News Digest 2 p.m.
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-EXTREME POVERTY’S RISE — Decades of progress in one of modern history’s greatest achievements, the fight against extreme poverty, are now in danger. The World Bank says up to 100 million people globally could fall into the bitter existence of living on just $1.90 a day. Most of them are in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that against countless odds had some of the world’s fastest growing economies in recent years. By Elias Meseret and Cara Anna. SENT: 1,610 words, photos. An abridged version of 880 words is available.
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LEBANON — Lebanon’s prime minister stepped down from his job in the wake of the disastrous Beirut port explosion that triggered public fury, saying he has come to the conclusion that corruption in Lebanon is “bigger than the state.” In a brief televised speech after three of his ministers resigned, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that he is taking “a step back” so he can stand with the people “and fight the battle for change alongside them.” By Bassem Mroue. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not about to blink. The Democratic leader has been here before, negotiating a deal with the White House to save the U.S. economy, and lessons from the Great Recession are now punctuating the coronavirus talks. With Republicans again balking at big government bailouts, the Democratic leaders are holding the leverage, forcing President Donald Trump into a politically risky standoff over help for millions of Americans. By Lisa Mascaro. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — Vilified, threatened with violence and in some cases burned out, dozens of state and local public health officials around the country have resigned or have been fired amid the coronavirus outbreak, a testament to how politically combustible masks, lockdowns and infection data have become. By Michelle R. Smith and Lauren Weber. SENT: 690 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST
CHICAGO-VIOLENCE — Hundreds of looters descended on downtown Chicago following a police shooting on the city’s South Side, with vandals smashing the windows of dozens of businesses and making off with merchandise, cash machines and anything else they could carry, police said.. By Don Babwin. SENT: 840 words, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOLS — Many U.S. schools have poor air circulation, which will exacerbate the coronavirus threat when some of them reopen this month. Aging air conditioning and heating systems allow classroom air to become stagnant, meaning the virus will linger in the air around the students and teachers instead of being blown into air ducts and out of the school. Some schools will be teaching classes outdoors, even in colder climates. By Terry Spencer. SENT: 940 words, photos.
HONG KONG-JIMMY LAI — Hong Kong authorities have arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai, broadening their enforcement of a new national security law and stoking fears of a crackdown on the semi-autonomous region’s free press. Police were seen carting away boxes of what they said was evidence at Lai’s pro-democracy Next Digital headquarters. By Zen Soo. SENT: 1,080 words, photos. With ALGERIA-PROTESTS — An Algerian journalist who played a prominent role in covering the country’s pro-democracy movement is sentenced to three years in prison for inciting unauthorized demonstrations and attacking national unity. SENT: 380 words, photo.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-WATTS RIOTS — The Los Angeles community of Watts has been associated with an uprising in 1965 that led to burned-down buildings and bloodshed. But when some of this year’s protests against racial injustice devolved into vandalism and looting, Watts has been peaceful. One lawmaker says residents learned long ago that it didn’t pay to burn their own neighborhood. By Brian Melley. SENT: 2,740 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,580 words is also available. With AP WAS THERE-WATTS RIOTS — On Aug. 11, 1965, an uprising began in Los Angeles after the drunken driving arrest of a young Black man by a white California Highway Patrol officer. SENT: 570 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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MED-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TELEMEDICINE-FUTURE — Telemedicine grew explosively after COVID-19 shut down much of the economy earlier this year and forced doctors and patients to connect virtually. Doctors say they hope the increased use continues. Telemedicine gives them a way to connect more frequently with patients, especially those with chronic health problems. But in order for telemedicine to retain some growth, thorny issues like insurance coverage and doctor reimbursement need to be resolved. SENT: 910 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FIRST-JOB — The pandemic is clouding the global Class of 2020′s career ambitions. Around the world, young people armed with new degrees, diplomas and professional qualifications are struggling to enter the workforce as the pandemic pushes the global economy into recession. SENT: 1,240 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LOST LANDMARKS — La Tropicana Cafe has been a cornerstone of Tampa’s historic Latin-influenced Ybor City neighborhood since the 1960s, well known as a gathering spot where movers and shakers and even mobsters mixed with construction workers over Cuban coffee and sandwiches. Now its doors are likely closed for good, like so many other bars and restaurants done in by the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 740 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE — From the most romantic spots along the Seine to popular shopping streets, residents and visitors in Paris were required to wear face masks in some outdoor areas of the French capital amid an uptick in reported coronavirus cases. SENT: 290 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CRIMINAL CHARGES — A Georgia company falsely claimed a vitamin D product it was selling could lower the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, federal prosecutors say. SENT: 340 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK–ONE GOOD THING-RESPIRATORY THERAPIST — Two years out of medical school, respiratory therapist Savannah Stuard is on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 in New Orleans. She operates ventilator equipment, coming in close contact with patients. It’s challenging work under any circumstances. It’s even more complicated for Stuard, who was born without a left forearm. Stuard, who works at Ochsner Medical Center, has become an inspiration to patients she encounters who have lost limbs. SENT: 460 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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RACHAEL RAY-HOUSE FIRE — Fire engulfs cooking show star Rachael Ray’s home. SENT: 440 words, photos.
JOLIE-PTT DIVORCE — Angelina Jolie seeks removal of private judge in Brad Pitt divorce case. SENT: 410 words.
AIR-TRAVEL-GUNS — Air travel is down sharply during the pandemic, but airport screeners are finding guns at a much higher rate. And about 80% of those guns are loaded. SENT: 420 words, photos.
INDONESIA VOLCANO — Indonesia’s Sinabung volcano ejects towering column of ash. SENT: 240 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT-STATES — Whether President Donald Trump has the constitutional authority to extend federal unemployment benefits by executive order remains unclear. Equally up in the air is whether states, which are necessary partners in Trump’s plan to bypass Congress, will sign on. By Matthew Barakat and Aamer Madhani. SENT: 1,100 words, photos. UPCOMING: 1,150 words by 5 p.m.
TRUMP-SOCIAL SECURITY — President Donald Trump’s move to defer payroll taxes calls into question the promise he made as a candidate in 2016 not to touch Social Security and Medicare. While the president’s order doesn’t affect benefits but how to pay for them, Democrats seized on it as a signal that Trump would cut the social safety net. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Andrew Taylor. UPCOMING: 850 words, photo by 4:30 p.m.
ELECTION 2020-DNC — Democrats are beginning to share details of a convention that has been completely revamped to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. By Bill Barrow. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 5 p.m.
CONGRESS-RUSSIA PROBE — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says he has subpoenaed the FBI to produce documents to his committee related to the Trump-Russia investigation. SENT: 600 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-WATCH — The 2020 spotlight is about to shift away from President Donald Trump and onto Democrat Joe Biden, at least temporarily, when Biden announces his vice presidential pick. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
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RACIAL INJUSTICE-PORTLAND — Protesters outside a Portland police union building set fires and used a mortar to launch commercial grade fireworks at police and officials said Monday that two officers were injured and 16 demonstrators were arrested. SENT: 340 words, photos.
BALTIMORE EXPLOSION — A natural gas explosion destroyed three row houses in Baltimore on Monday, killing a woman and trapping other people in the wreckage. At least four people were hospitalized with serious injuries as firefighters searched for more survivors. SENT: 620 words, photos.
PUERTO RICO-BOTCHED PRIMARY — Puerto Ricans demanded answers after botched primaries forced officials to reschedule voting at centers lacking ballots, an unprecedented decision being called a blow to the U.S. territory’s democracy. SENT: 840 words, photos.
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MAURITIUS-OIL SPILL — Urgent efforts increased in Mauritius to empty a stranded Japanese ship of an estimated 2,500 tons of oil before the vessel breaks up and increases the contamination of the island’s once-pristine Indian Ocean coastline. Already more than 1,000 tons of fuel has washed up on the eastern coast of Mauritius, polluting its coral reefs, protected lagoons and shoreline. SENT: 530 words, photos.
BELARUS ELECTION — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko warned that the protesters who challenge the official vote results extending his 26-year rule will face a tough crackdown, deriding the opposition as “sheep” manipulated by foreign masters. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
ROMANIAN MIGRANT-MIDWIFE — A Romanian midwife who emigrated to Britain in 2012 has become one of the faces of the U.K. campaign celebrating its National Health Service. Claudia Anghel tells The Associated Press that her decision to leave Romania was not primarily about money but about the lack respect for her profession, systemic corruption and better prospects for her son. SENT: 770 words, photos
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McDONALD’S-CEO-LAWSUIT — McDonald’s says it’s suing Stephen Easterbrook, the CEO it ousted last year over an inappropriate relationship with an employee, alleging that he covered up relationships with three other employees and destroyed evidence. SENT: 700 words, photo.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Wall Street is drifting close to its record heights after President Donald Trump announced several stopgap moves to aid the economy, following the collapse of talks on Capitol Hill for a bigger rescue package. SENT: 740 words, photos.
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THEATER FOR ONE — The coronavirus hasn’t stopped the world’s smallest theater. “Theatre for One,” where one audience member sees one short play performed by a single actor in a portable theater, has now gone online. By AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 630 words, photos.
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BBO-SALARIES — Major League Baseball’s eye-popping salaries took an astonishing dive during the coronavirus pandemic to their lowest level in nearly a quarter-century, according to a study by The Associated Press. Washington pitcher Max Scherzer topped the shortened season’s lessened list at $17.8 million, the lowest leader since Kevin Brown at $15.7 million in 2000. Salaries averaged just under $1.3 million, down from almost $4.4 million last year, with players receiving prorated salaries. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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