AP News Digest 2 p.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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CHINA-HUNT FOR VIRUS ORIGINS — Top Chinese officials quietly ordered strict controls on all COVID-19 research in the country, internal documents obtained by The AP show, cloaking the search for the origins of the virus in secrecy. Even as a World Health Organization team prepares to visit China next month, scientists searching for the virus in bat habitats have had their samples confiscated by police. Beijing has handed out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to state-backed scientists to look for the origins, but little has been reported about their findings so far. Meanwhile, state media outlets are actively promoting fringe theories that the virus could have come from outside China, leaving outside experts befuddled. By Dake Kang, Maria Cheng and Sam McNeil. SENT: words, photos. An abridged version of 1,170 words is avaialable.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-US — A Colorado National Guard member has the first reported U.S. case of a new and seemingly more contagious variant of the coronavirus that has set off alarm in Britain, while a second case is suspected in another Guard member, health officials say. The two were sent on Dec. 23 to work at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak of the virus in a small town outside Denver. By Colleen Slevin. SENT: 620 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THINGS TO KNOW, VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (both sent)
MED--VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW VARIANTS — Does it spread more easily? Make people sicker? Mean that treatments and vaccines won’t work? Questions are multiplying as fast as new variants of the coronavirus, especially the one moving through England and now popping up in the U.S. and other countries. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-CONGRESS — President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks is all but dead as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposes an alternative approach of loading up the bill with other White House priorities that appeared destined to fail. The roadblock mounted by Senate Republicans appears unsurmountable, even as pressure builds to approve the bigger checks. By AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 900 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing.
ARGENTINA-ABORTION — Argentina on Wednesday became the largest nation in Latin America to legalize elective abortion, a triumph for a feminist movement that overcame a last-minute appeal by Pope Francis to his compatriots and could pave the way for similar actions across the socially conservative, heavily Roman Catholic region. By Almudena Calatrava and Débora Rey. SENT: 750 words, photos.
TRUMP LEGACY-IMMIGRATION — The Trump administration was more hostile to immigration than any in decades, making it harder for people to visit, live or work in the United States while also trying to reduce the number of those who illegally enter the country. Much of the administration’s immigration activity can be quickly undone by Joe Biden when he becomes president, but President Donald Trump’s legacy won’t be easily erased. By Ben Fox. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
NEW-LAWS — Responses to the coronavirus pandemic and police brutality dominated legislative sessions in 2020, leading to scores of new laws that will take effect in the new year. Virus-related laws include those offering help to essential workers, boosting unemployment benefits and requiring time off for sick employees. A resolution in Alabama formally encouraged fist-bumping over handshakes. By Julie Carr Smyth. SENT: 1,300 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LIVES LOST-COPING AND REMEMBRANCE — For those whose loved ones have died of COVID-19, the pain and devastation of 2020 will remain for years to come. Over the last year, Associated Press journalists around the world have profiled dozens of ordinary people who became victims of the pandemic. As the turbulent year comes to a close, the AP revisited some of their families and friends to see how they’re coping. By Peter Prengaman and Raghuram Vadarevu, with illustrations by Peter Hamlin. SENT: 2,900 words, photos.
Find more year-end coverage on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE — Joe and Jill Biden to appear on ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.’ SENT: 260 words, photos.
RV-JEOPARDY-TREBEK — The final new “Jeopardy!” episodes hosted by Alex Trebek will air next week, with highlights that promise to be memorable. SENT: 150 words, photos.
NORWAY-LANDSLIDE — Landslide in Norway leaves 10 injured, more than 20 missing. SENT: 290 words, photos.
OBIT-RUBENSTEIN — NYC public relations impresario Howard Rubenstein dies at 88. SENT: 270 words, photo.
ODD-DANCING-ROBOTS — Robots with rhythm: Boston Dynamics’ dancing androids a hit. SENT: 160 words.
EXPLOSION-NASHVILLE-PETULA-CLARK — Petula Clark shocked that ‘Downtown’ played before bombing, SENT: 150 words, photo.
ITALY-CHURCH-ART-PHOTO-GALLERY — Like elsewhere in Europe, museums and art galleries closed in Italy in the spring and again in the fall to contain the spread of COVID-19, leaving virtual tours as the best option for art lovers. SENT: 460 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN-VACCINES — Britain became the first country to authorize AstraZeneca’s inexpensive, easy-to-handle COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday, gaining another weapon against the virus amid a resurgence so severe that the government extended lockdowns to three-quarters of England’s population. SENT: 1,220 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — The British government on Wednesday extended its toughest coronavirus restrictions to more than three-quarters of England’s population, saying a fast-spreading new variant of the virus has reached most of the country. SENT: 440 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-OBIT-CONGRESSMAN-ELECT — The death of Louisiana’s incoming Republican member of the U.S. House from complications related to COVID-19 stunned the state’s political circles and became the latest brutal reminder of how dangerous the coronavirus can be. Luke Letlow, who was only 41 and had no known underlying health conditions, died Tuesday night at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport — days before he was scheduled to be sworn into office. SENT: 700 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHINA-VACCINE DEVELOPMENT — A Chinese drugmaker says its coronavirus vaccine was found to be 79.3% effective at preventing infection in preliminary data from the final round of testing, moving Beijing closer to possibly being able to fulfill its pledge to supply other developing countries. SENT: 590 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GREECE-VACCINATION SELFIES — Greece’s center-right government says senior state officials will no longer be given priority for the COVID-19 vaccination after posts on social media by Cabinet ministers receiving the shot triggered a backlash from health care unions and opposition parties. SENT: 300 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BACKYARD-CHICKENS — The coronavirus pandemic is coming home to roost in America’s backyards. Forced to hunker down at home, more people are setting up coops and raising their own chickens, which provide an earthy hobby, animal companionship and a steady supply of fresh eggs. SENT: 510 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ONE-GOOD-THING-HOME-ICU — A veteran critical care nurse in northern Greece didn’t feel good about the treatment options available when his wife, both her parents and her brother got COVID-19 in alarming succession. Since he had to quarantine anyway and could not go to work once his relatives tested positive for the virus, Gabriel Tachtatzoglou decided to put his ICU experience to use by looking after them himself. His mother-in-law thinks Tachtatzoglou saved their lives in the makeshift ICU he set up at home. SENT: 590 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NEW-YEAR’S-EVE — If ever a year’s end seemed like cause for celebration, 2020 might be it. Yet the coronavirus scourge that dominated the year is also looming over New Year’s festivities and forcing officials worldwide to tone them down. From New York’s Times Square to Sydney Harbor, the pandemic is turning big public blowouts into TV-only shows and digital events. SENT: 970 words, photos.
YE-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-YEAR-OF-THE-FIST-BUMP — The moment called for a handshake. Or would have, under what used to be considered normal circumstances. As in, before 2020. Safety is the primary reason why the status of the fist bump was elevated big-time this year. The handshake was simply a causality of the coronavirus. Once a customary greeting, it has become beyond frowned upon. SENT: 870 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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NEW CONGRESS-PELOSI — There’s little doubt in Washington that Nancy Pelosi will be reelected House speaker when the new Congress convenes in January. But with a knife’s-edge Democratic majority, the uncertainties of COVID-19 and winter airline travel and a requirement that lawmakers vote in person, it could take a high-wire act for her to get there. By Alan Fram. SENT: 900 words, photos.
YE-BIDEN-BLACK POLITICAL POWER — As a barrier-breaking year draws to a close, there’s one undeniable fact: the strength of Black political power. But while Black political and civil rights leaders see opportunity to work with a Biden-Harris administration to build upon the momentum created in 2020, they acknowledge the road ahead won’t be easy given the makeup of Washington and a narrowly divided Congress. By Kat Stafford. SENT: 1,400 words, photos.
CONGRESS-ELECTORAL COLLEGE — Republican Sen. Josh Hawley says he will raise objections next week when the Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the election, forcing House and Senate votes that are likely to delay — but in no way alter — the final certification of Biden’s win. By Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 800 words, photo. With CONGRESS-EXPLAINING-ELECTORAL-COLLEGE-VOTE.
ELECTION 2020-GEORGIA-FINAL STRETCH — Campaigns and outside groups are making a final push to turn out election-weary Georgians whose votes will determine control of the U.S. Senate. Margins in the Jan. 5 runoffs are expected to be tight and the campaigns for Republican U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are all focused on mobilizing voters. SENT: 940 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-IRAN — The United States flies strategic bombers over the Persian Gulf for the second time this month, a show of force meant to deter Iran from attacking American or allied targets in the Middle East. By AP National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 800 words, photos.
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YEMEN — A large explosion struck the airport in the southern Yemeni city of Aden shortly after a plane carrying the newly formed Cabinet landed there, security officials said. At least 22 people were killed and 50 were wounded in the blast. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
ISRAEL-POLLARD — Jonathan Pollard, who spent 30 years in U.S. prison for spying for Israel, has arrived in Israel with his wife, triumphantly kissing the ground as he disembarked from the aircraft in the culmination of a decades-long affair that had long strained relations between the two close allies. SENT: 780 words, photos.
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EXPLOSION-NASHVILLE — More than a year before Anthony Warner detonated a bomb in downtown Nashville on Christmas, officers visited his home after his girlfriend told police that he was building bombs in an RV trailer at his residence, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. But they were unable to make contact with him, or see inside his RV. SENT:
BRIBERY-INVESTIGATION-OHIO — Ohio’s largest electric utility, its reputation battered by scandal, has been besieged by more than a dozen lawsuits filed by angry shareholders who include some of the country’s biggest institutional investors. SENT: 910 words, photos.
HURRICANE STRUGGLES-PHOTO GALLERY — Well after Hurricanes Laura and Delta ravaged southwest Louisiana, the state and its people are still far from recovered, with many living in tents and cooking their meals over open fires while they slowly work to rebuild their destroyed homes. SENT: 290 words, photos.
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LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION — Three centuries ago, much of what is now the southern United States was covered with fire-dependent savannas anchored by lofty pines. By the 1900s, less than 3% of America’s longleaf pine forests remained. By Janet McConnaughey. SENT: 880 words, photos.
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FINANCIAL MARKETS — U.S. stocks are broadly higher in afternoon trading as the effort to develop and distribute vaccines to fight the virus pandemic ramps up. SENT: 470 words, photos.
EUROPE-CHINA-INVESTMENT — Top European Union officials and Chinese President Xi Jinping have concluded a business investment deal that will open big opportunities to European companies, but has the potential to irk the new American administration. SENT: 880 words, photos.
SKOREA-SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS-LEE — South Korean prosecutors requested a nine-year prison term for Samsung’s de facto chief, Lee Jae-yong, during his bribery retrial, where Lee apologized and vowed not to be implicated in similar allegations in an apparent plea for leniency. SENT: 580 words, photos.
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MUSIC-GRAMMYWATCH-RENEE ZELLWEGER — Renée Zellweger is known for acting but you could easily write a thesis about her love for music. The entertainer won an Oscar for portraying Judy Garland in last year’s “Judy,” for which Zellweger did her own singing in front of live audiences. She was praised for her performance in 2002’s “Chicago.” So it should be no surprise that Zellweger’s earned her first Grammy nomination this year for the soundtrack to “Judy.” By Music Writer Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 940 words, photos.
MUSIC-STEVE CROPPER — At a time when it was common for white musicians to co-opt the work of Black artists, Steve Cropper was that rare white artist willing to keep a lower profile and collaborate. More than half a century later, he is still making music at 79 years old. SENT: 1,260 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 880 words is available.
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SPORTS
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FBC-COTTON BOWL — Big 12 champion Oklahoma is back at AT&T Stadium 11 days later to play SEC runner-up Florida in the Cotton Bowl. The Gators are the nation’s top passing offense with quarterback Kyle Trask, but the Heisman Trophy finalist won’t have his top four pass-catchers. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 8:10 p.m.
FBC-AP COACH OF THE YEAR — Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell is The Associated Press college football coach of the year after leading the Chanticleers to a surprising, near-perfect season. SENT: 760 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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