AP News Digest 3:10 a.m.
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All Times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-US SURGE — States face a deadline to place orders for the coronavirus vaccine as many reported record infections, hospitalizations and deaths, and hospitals were pushed to the breaking point — with many fearing that the worst is yet to come. The number of Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 hit an all-time high in the U.S. on Thursday at 100,667, according to the COVID Tracking Project, while new daily cases now are averaging 210,000 and deaths are averaging 1,800 per day, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. By Michael Rubinkam and Tammy Webber. SENT: 900 words, photos.
SENATE-GEORGIA-MONEY — Democrats and Republicans are pouring millions of dollars into Georgia’s dueling Senate runoff races ahead of the Jan. 5 election. The state has long been a Republican stronghold, but it is emerging as a swing state after Democratic President-elect Joe Biden narrowly won it during the Nov. 3 election. By Brian Slodysko and Bill Barrow. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
BIDEN-AGRICULTURE — President-elect Joe Biden’s choices for secretary of agriculture are as diverse as the department of 100,000 employees that she or he would represent. The emerging choice between Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and several other potential candidates seems like another test of Biden’s vision for the Democratic Party. By Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 1,050 words, photo.
BIDEN-CABINET DIVERSITY — President-elect Joe Biden is under increasing pressure to expand racial and ideological diversity in his Cabinet and other top jobs, and even is beginning to draw rebukes from activists who fear he’ll far short on promises to build out an administration that looks like the country it governs. By Will Weissert, Lisa Mascaro and Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SWITZERLAND-SKIING — While the COVID-19 pandemic has led France, Italy and Austria to shut or severely restrict access to their ski stations this holiday season, Switzerland is keeping its slopes open, a move that has driven a wedge among European leaders and fanned grumbling and envy among many business owners. By Jamey Keaten. SENT: 840 words, photos
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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BORDER-WALL-LAWSUITS — Appeals court rules for Trump taking military money for wall. SENT: 260 words.
CHINA-COAL-MINE-DISASTER — Chinese state TV reports 18 coal miners killed by lethal gas. SENT: 70 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WYOMING-OFFICIAL — Wyoming health official: ‘so-called pandemic’ communist plot. SENT: 380 words.
BUDDY THE ELF MEETS DAD — Scene from ‘Elf’ comes to life as Buddy meets dad in Boston. SENT: :280 words, photos.
MARY-TRUMP-INTERVIEW — President Trump’s niece says her uncle should face prosecution after he leaves White House. SENT: 870 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — Much of California is on the brink of sweeping new restrictions on businesses and activities, a desperate attempt to slow the frighteningly rapid escalation of coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korea’s capital begins began enforcing stricter distancing rules as the country added nearly 600 new coronavirus cases for the second straight day. SENT: 140 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PANDEMIC'S FUTURE — The U.N. health chief declared Friday that positive results from coronavirus vaccine trials mean the world “can begin to dream about the end of the pandemic,” but he said rich and powerful nations must not trample the poor and marginalized “in the stampede for vaccines.” SENT: 930 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Optimism is finally building in Washington for a COVID-19 aid bill that would offer relief for businesses, the unemployed, schools and health care providers, among others struggling as caseloads are spiking. Success is not certain and considerable differences remain over details, such as whether to issue a second round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans. By Andrew Taylor. SENT: 700 words, photos, video.
ELECTION-2020-WISCONSIN — A judge hearing President Trump’s federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s win in Wisconsin has said that the president’s request to “remand” the case to the GOP-controlled Legislature to pick new electors was “bizarre.” SENT: 510 words, photos.
DEVOS-STUDENT LOANS — The Trump administration on Friday suspended all federal student loan payments through the end of January and kept interest rates at 0%, extending a moratorium that started early in the pandemic but was set to expire at the end of this month. SENT: 460 words, photos.
PENTAGON-TRUMP ALLIES — The Pentagon appoints two close political allies of President Donald Trump, Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, to a defense advisory board, continuing a purge of the Defense Department in the waning weeks of the administration. SENT: 390 words, photos.
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KUWAIT — Kuwait began voting Saturday for its National Assembly, the first election since the death of its longtime ruling emir at a time the oil-rich nation struggles with serious economic problems during the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES — Fire danger remained high Friday amid unpredictable wind gusts and dry conditions in Southern California, as crews made progress against blazes that burned several homes and injured two firefighters. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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SCIENCE
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JAPAN-ASTEROID — Japan’s space agency said the Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully separated a capsule and sent it toward Earth to deliver samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on our planet. SENT: 690 words, photos.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Wall Street closed out a solid week for stocks with more record highs as traders took a discouraging jobs report as a sign that Congress will finally move to deliver more aid for the pandemic-stricken economy. SENT: 890 words, photos.
GOOGLE-AI-RESEARCHER — The furor over the abrupt departure of an artificial intelligence scholar from Google is the latest incident raising questions about whether the tech giant has strayed so far away from its original “Don’t Be Evil” motto that it now routinely ousts employees who challenge management. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Vincent K. Willis can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, (ext. 7636). Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.