BC-AP News Digest 2:05 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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TOP STORIES
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IRAN PLANE CRASH — Popular anger swelled in Iran over the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian jetliner and the government's attempt to conceal its role in the tragedy, as online videos appeared to show security forces firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protests in the streets. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 1,110 words, photos, video. With IRAN-DIPLOMATIC FURY — A flurry of diplomatic visits and meetings crisscrossing the Persian Gulf have driven urgent efforts in recent days to defuse the possibility of all-out war after the U.S. killed Iran's top military commander. SENT: 970 words, photos.
IRAN-DECADES OF PROTEST — The demonstrations that erupted after Iran admitted to accidentally shooting down a passenger plane during a tense standoff with the United States last week are the latest of several waves of protest going back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution — all of which have been violently suppressed. By Joseph Krauss. SENT: 820 words, photos.
TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT — Facing an impeachment trial, President Donald Trump needs Mitch McConnell more than ever. The trial is a defining moment for both men, who started their relationship unevenly three years ago but have since fallen into a comfortable partnership that will now be put to the test. By Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 970 words, photos.
BRITAIN-ROYAL RIFT — Britain’s pragmatic queen brokers a deal to secure the future of the monarchy, charting a course for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan that allows them to live part-time in Canada while still remaining firmly tied to the House of Windsor. The decision follows the first face-to-face talks with Harry since the couple made their surprise announcement. By Danica Kirka, Jill Lawless and Frank Augstein. SENT: 500 words, photos. With BRITAIN-ROYAL RIFT-KEY QUESTIONS — Queen's summit: Key questions on Prince Harry's future. SENT: 820 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-BOOKER — Democrat Cory Booker drops out of the presidential race, ending a campaign whose message of unity and love failed to resonate in a political era marked by chaos and anxiety. His departure leaves a field that was once the most diverse in history with just one remaining African American candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. By Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 940 words, photos.
OSCAR NOMINATIONS-SNUBS AND SURPRISES — No female directing nominees. Only one acting nominee of color. The 2020 Oscar nominations reflects previous troubling trends of a lack of diversity and inclusion. By Jocelyn Noveck. SENT: 670 words, photos. With OSCAR NOMINATIONS — “Joker” leads Oscar noms; “1917,” “Irishman” close behind. SENT: 1,370 words, photos; OSCAR NOMINATIONS-MUSIC, OSCAR NOMINATIONS-FACTS AND FIGURES, OSCAR NOMINATIONS-LIST, OSCAR NOMINATIONS-QUOTEBOX (all sent)
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT _________________
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN - Supermodel Gigi Hadid among potential jurors for Weinstein's rape trial. SENT: 345 words, photos.
SUPREME COURT-TEXTING-SUICIDE — Supreme Court rejects appeal in texting suicide case. SENT: 420 words, photos.
CHURCH SHOOTING-TEXAS-AWARD — Man who shot church gunman gets highest Texas civilian honor. SENT: 170 words.
TV-THE VIEW-HUNTSMAN — Panelist Abby Huntsman says she's leaving ‘The View.’ SENT: 150 words, photos.
JFK-AUCTION — Extensive collection of JFK memorabilia hits auction block. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS _________________
ELECTION 2020-DEBATE — The stakes are rising for Democratic presidential candidates as they prepare for their final debate before the Iowa caucuses. The forum is one of the last chances for White House hopefuls to break up the cluster of candidates who are currently leading the race. By Alexandra Jaffe. UPCOMING: 800 words, photo by 5 p.m.
ELECTION 2020-DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES — Voters remain concerned about health care, higher wages, student debt and climate change even with an impeachment trial looming and rising tensions with Iran. 2020 has begun amid political turmoil that's striking even for an election year, when volatility is often the norm. But for many voters in the states that will soon begin choosing the Democratic presidential nominee, the same bread-and-butter issues that have long dominated the primary remain top of mind. SENT: 880 words, photos.
RELIGION-EVANGELICAL CLOUT — White evangelical support for President Trump has sparked debate for years -- particularly this winter, with his impeachment trial looming. But for all the focus it commands, uncertainty continues to surround Trump’s bond with a religious constituency that has long leaned GOP. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
NAVAL AIR STATION SHOOTING — The United States is preparing to remove more than a dozen Saudi military students from a training program and return them to their home country after an investigation into a deadly shooting by a Saudi aviation student at a Florida navy base last month, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. By Eric Tucker and Mike Balsamo. SENT: 650 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 2 p.m. news conference.
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INTERNATIONAL _________________
IRAQ-US — American troops were informed of an imminent attack hours before a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles struck a key Iraqi airbase hosting their forces, U.S. military officials said days after the attack which marked a major escalation between the longtime foes. SENT: 660 words, photos.
PHILIPPINES-VOLCANO — Red-hot lava spewed from a volcano near the Philippine capital of Manila as tens of thousands of people fled through heavy ash and frightening tremors, and authorities made plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands more for fear of a bigger eruption. SENT: 910 words, photos, video.
VATICAN-MARRIED PRIESTS — The Vatican sought to downplay the decision by retired Pope Benedict XVI to reaffirm the “necessity” of a celibate priesthood at the same time that Pope Francis is considering ordaining married men, calling his book a mere contribution that was written in full obedience to Francis. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
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NATIONAL _________________
GUN PROSECUTION LOOPHOLE — A subtle design feature of the AR-15 rifle has raised a technical legal question that is derailing cases against people who are charged with illegally buying and selling the gun's parts or building the weapon. At issue is whether a key piece of one of America's most popular firearms meets the definition of a gun that prosecutors have long relied on. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
VIRGINIA-GUN LAWS — Some top Virginia Democratic senators are expressing reservations about plans to ban assault weapons — a key part of the new Democratic majority's gun-control proposals and one that's drawn fierce resistance from gun-rights advocates. SENT: 720 words, photos.
PUERTO RICO-EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS — More than two years ago, Hurricane Maria revealed that Puerto Rico was utterly unprepared for a powerful hurricane despite its location in one of the world’s most storm-vulnerable regions. Now, a flurry of earthquakes topped by a magnitude 6.4 temblor that killed one person and damaged hundreds of buildings has many accusing the government of being caught unready again. SENT: 880 words, photos.
HEMP REGULATIONS-WORRIED GROWERS — Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
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FURNITURE-RENTALS — Feather, Fernish and other startups are renting furniture by the month in a handful of U.S. cities. They offer pieces that are a step up from Ikea and want to appeal to higher-income city dwellers in their 20s and 30s who are more likely to move than their parents or grandparents. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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SPORTS ____________
FBC-CFP CHAMPIONSHIP — Ed Orgeron and top-ranked LSU look to cap off one of the most impressive seasons in school history when they take on Dabo Swinney and Clemson in the CFP national championship game. By College Football Writer Ralph Russo. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Dave Clark 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.