AP News Digest 7:10 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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ETHIOPIA-A-SURVIVOR’S-STORY — One of the few hundred evacuees from Ethiopia’s sealed-off Tigray region in an interview with The Associated Press offers rare details of anger, desperation and growing hunger as the warring sides reject international calls for dialogue or even a humanitarian corridor for aid. By Cara Anna. 940 words, photos.
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BIDEN-CABINET DIVERSITY — Black voters, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and other people of color played a crucial role to Biden’s defeat of President Donald Trump. They say they want attention paid to problems affecting their communities — and they want to see more people who look like them in positions of power. By Ellen Knickmeyer and Matthew Daly. SENT: 1,140 words, photos. With BIDEN-TRANSITION — Biden could name top leaders for his Cabinet as early as next week. SENT: 850 words, photos.
TRUMP-REPUBLICANS-ANALYSIS — Republicans in Congress are engaged in a risky but calculated bet that once President Trump has exhausted his legal challenges to the election, he will come to grips with his loss to President-elect Joe Biden. But the opposite is happening, and Republican lawmakers will soon be forced into a moment of truth. An AP News Analysis by Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,070 words, photo.
TRUMP-LEGAL CHALLENGES — President Trump is trying to leverage the power of the Oval Office in an extraordinary attempt to block President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Criticism is mounting that his futile efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election could do long-lasting damage to faith in U.S. elections. By Colleen Long, Zeke Miller and David Eggert. SENT: 1,050 words, photos, video. With ELECTION 2020-LEGAL SCORECARD — Where Republican election challenges stand in six states. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-DOMESTIC INTERFERENCE — In the weeks before the presidential election, federal authorities warned that foreign countries were primed to spread disinformation about the contest’s results. Turns out, the loudest megaphone for that message belonged not to Russia but to President Trump. By Eric Tucker and David Klepper. SENT: 980 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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HONG-KONG-SINGAPORE-TRAVEL-BUBBLE — Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble postponed. SENT: 140 words.
KASHMIR — India says Pakistani shelling kills soldier in Kashmir. SENT: 390 words, photo.
TURKEY-G20 — Turkish, Saudi leaders speak by phone ahead of G20 summit. SENT: 120 words, photo.
VIRUS OUBREAK-TRUMP JR — Spokesman: Trump’s eldest son tests positive for coronavirus. SENT: 180 words, photos.
1995 CONVICTION-OVERTURNED — Man freed, case dropped in deadly 1994 stabbing of NYC woman. SENT: 490 words, photos.
KARDASHIAN-PAL-ARMED-ROBBERY — Feds charge man in armed robbery of Kardashian pal Cheban. SENT: 150 words, photo.
CUOMO-TV AWARD — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to soon receive an International Emmy award for his once-daily televised briefings on the coronavirus pandemic that killed tens of thousands of New Yorkers this spring. SENT: 360 words, photo.
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EXPLAINING ELECTION 2020-AUDITS — As they seek to overturn — or at least cast doubts on — the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election, President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have zeroed in on a routine and common process: post-election audits. SENT: 920 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-CALIFORNIA — Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia has claimed victory in his back-and-forth contest with Democrat Christy Smith in the 25th District north of Los Angeles, a Southern California battleground that Democrats had captured just two years ago. SENT: 420 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-MICHIGAN — Michigan’s election agency has recommended that the Nov. 3 results be certified next week by state canvassers, a decision that would bless Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump but likely not cool partisan strife over the vote. SENT: 420 words.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korea has reported 386 new cases of the coronavirus in a resurgence that could force authorities to reimpose stronger social distancing restrictions after easing them in October to spur a faltering economy. SENT: 880 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California enacts a nighttime curfew as spiking coronavirus cases threaten to swamp health care systems and the state’s largest county warned that an even more drastic lockdown could be imminent. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOUTH KOREA-TESTS — Maryland lawmakers renew criticism of Gov. Larry Hogan’s April procurement of 500,000 COVID-19 tests from South Korea after The Washington Post reported the first batch was flawed and never used, but the governor defended the tests. SENT: 570 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOVERNORS — Coronavirus infections are ravaging South Dakota, where more than half of tests have come back positive for weeks. Yet Gov. Kristi Noem won’t require masks or take other measures to curb the spread, including urging families to limit Thanksgiving gatherings. SENT: 700 words, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPAIN-OPERA — The show is going on at Madrid’s Teatro Real opera house these days, despite the coronavirus pandemic. While most of the major opera venues around the world are closed because of the virus, performances are continuing at Teatro Real. Audiences are socially distanced and limited to 65% of normal capacity. SENT: 870 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BATTERED-BUSINESSES — By most measures of what keeps a pub afloat, the coronavirus pandemic should have Ye Olde Kings Head on its last kegs. The British restaurant and bar has endured more than its share of setbacks during the past nine months and faces the latest challenge when new restrictions force it to halve its seating and send customers on their way by 10 p.m. SENT: 940 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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FEDERAL-EXECUTIONS — The Justice Department has scheduled three more federal executions during the lame-duck period before President-elect Joe Biden takes office, including two just days before his inauguration. SENT: 580 words, photos.
TRUMP-DRUG PRICES — The Trump administration issues regulations that could lower the prices Americans pay for many prescription drugs. But it’s hard to say whether the rules will withstand expected legal challenges or whether the incoming Biden administration will accept them. SENT: 880 words, photos, video.
JONATHAN POLLARD — The Justice Department says Jonathan Pollard, the former Navy intelligence analyst who served 30 years in prison for selling secrets to Israel, has completed his parole. The move frees him to travel to Israel. SENT: 310 words, photo.
CONGRESS-PUBLIC LANDS — U.S. officials say proposed land conservation purchases in dozens of states would preserve natural areas and increase access to tourist destinations. The announcement Friday comes as lawmakers from both parties push back on Trump administration restrictions on how the money can be spent. SENT: 380 words, photos.
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THAILAND PROTESTS — Secondary school students in Thailand’s capital rallies for educational and political reforms, defying government threats to crack down with legal action against the country’s high-profile protest movement. SENT: 530 words, photos.
AFGHANISTAN — About 23 mortar shells slammed into different parts of the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least eight people and wounding 31 others, an official says. SENT: 400 words, photo.
BULGARIA-NORTH-MACEDONIA — North Macedonia, kept out of the European Union for years by a dispute with Greece, hit yet another hurdle this week when Bulgaria blocked its progress toward membership. The government in Sofia wants North Macedonia to recognize that its language has Bulgarian roots and to stamp out what it says is anti-Bulgarian rhetoric. SENT: 660 words.
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MALL INCIDENT-WISCONSIN — Police are searching for the suspect in a shooting at a suburban Milwaukee mall that left seven adults and a teenager injured. Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber gave no motive for the attack at the Mayfair Mall in a brief update about three hours after the 2:50 p.m. incident near an entrance to the Macy’s store. SENT: 620 words, photos.
LETHAL INJECTION-IDAHO — Idaho prison officials must turn over information about where they got lethal injection drugs used in recent executions, the state Supreme Court ruled, the latest turn in a long-running challenge over transparency in executions that’s playing out nationwide. SENT; 620 words, photos.
ABORTION TENNESSEE — A federal appeals court has ruled that Tennessee can begin outlawing abortions because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, as well as prohibit the procedure if it’s based on the race or gender of the fetus. SENT: 470 words, photo.
BORDER-DENTENTION-CHILDREN — Border Patrol agents are detaining about 65 immigrant children at a station in South Texas in conditions that don’t control the spread of the coronavirus, with limited social distancing and a lack of access to soap or hand sanitizer, immigration lawyers said. SENT: 750 words.
POLICE-SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-KENOSHA — An Illinois 17-year-old charged with killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin has posted bail and been released from custody. Kyle Rittenhouse posted a $2 million cash bond in Kenosha on Friday. SENT: 300 words, photo.
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BKN—NBA FREE AGENCY — Free agency in the NBA has started. De’Aaron Fox was the first huge winner, agreeing to a deal with the Sacramento Kings that will pay him at least $163 million over five years. No deals can be signed until 12:01 p.m. Sunday. Many of the biggest available names, such as the Lakers’ Anthony Davis and Toronto’s Fred VanVleet, did not make immediate decisions on their futures. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1775 words, photos.
BKN--RAPTORS-CANADA-PANDEMIC — The Toronto Raptors will start the NBA season next month in Tampa, Florida, because of travel restrictions the Canadian government has put in place stemming from the pandemic. By Rob Gilles and Tim Reynolds. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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