AP News Digest 2:15 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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TRUMP-ELECTION CHALLENGES — As they frantically searched for ways to salvage President Donald Trump’s failed reelection bid, his campaign pursued a dizzying game of legal hopscotch across six states that centered on the biggest prize of all: Pennsylvania. The strategy may have played well to Trump’s supporters, but it has proved a disaster in court, where judges uniformly rejected their claims of vote fraud and found the campaign’s legal work amateurish. By Maryclaire Dale. SENT: 1,410 words, photos.
TRUMP-TRANSITION — It’s not just President-elect Joe Biden’s transition that’s under a microscope. President Donald Trump and his allies are harking back to his own transition four years ago to make a false argument that his own presidency was denied a fair chance for a clean launch from Barack Obama in 2016. The comparisons are part of a broader attempt by Trump and his team to undermine the legitimacy of Biden’s election and his right to an orderly transition by unspooling mistruths about both this election season and Trump’s treatment four years ago. By Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 910 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-WISCONSIN RECOUNT — In a cavernous convention center where election workers sifted slowly through a partial recount of Wisconsin’s presidential election, observer Ardis Cerny leaned as close as she could toward a Plexiglas divider separating her from two vote counters, eagle-eyeing them as they examined ballot papers one by one. When one tabulator told Cerny, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump’s, that she was too far over a yellow line meant to keep observers three feet away, Cerny bristled. “I know you don’t want us to see the ballots,” she said. “You think we’ll find something.” Similar scenes of contention -- mostly from Trump supporters -- have slowed a recount in Milwaukee County. By Michael Tarm. UPCOMING: 850 words, photos by 3 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The lines for free COVID-19 tests stretch for blocks and hours in cities feeling the dual strain of the coronavirus surge and holiday plans. But $150 or more can buy a spot at the front of the queue of one of an increasing number of pop-up clinics that promise visitors instant results. Many who need results quickly to get back to work can’t afford that. By Christine Fernando and Carolyn Thompson. UPCOMING: 1,080 words, photos by 3 p.m. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (sent)
VIRUS OUTBREAK RUSSIA — Russia’s health care system has been under severe strains in recent weeks, as a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic has swept the country. Across Russia, 81% of hospital beds that have been set aside for virus patients were full last week. Reports in Russian media have painted a bleak picture. By Daria Litvinova. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-BLACK-VOTER-SUPPRESSION — President-elect Joe Biden was in part powered to victory in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia by Black voters, many of them concentrated in cities such as Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta where he received a significant share of their support. Since Election Day, President Donald Trump and his allies have sought to expose voter fraud that simply does not exist. The strategy could erode Black voters’ trust in elections. By Aaron Morrison, Kat Stafford and Christine Fernando. SENT: 1,050 words, photos. This story is the Monday Spotlight.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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AUSTRALIA-SHARK-ATTACK — Man killed in shark attack in Western Australia state. SENT; 320 words, photo.
RHODES SCHOLARS — US Rhodes Scholars chosen virtually for the 1st time. SENT: 470 words.
REL--VATICAN-POPE-PORTUGAL — With no papal travels abroad this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis is cheering efforts for a youth jamboree in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023. SENT: 170 words, photos.
AL-QAIDA-LEADER — Al-Qaida names new North Africa leader, reports kidnap death. SENT: 240 words.
RAPPER-DOUBLE SLAYING — Authorities say a Florida rapper spent an evening recording music in a makeshift studio and then fatally shot two men who were with him. SENT: 230 words.
TAIWAN-US-PORK-PROTEST — Thousands march in Taiwan streets against US pork imports. SENT: 250 words, photos.
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BIDEN — President-elect Joe Biden’s first Cabinet picks are coming Tuesday and planning is underway for a pandemic-modified inauguration in January as his team moves forward despite roadblocks from the Trump administration. By Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 590 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-MICHIGAN — Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield says President Donald Trump didn’t ask the state’s Republican lawmakers to “break the law” or “interfere” with the election during a meeting at the White House. SENT: 380 words.
RUSSIA-US — President Vladimir Putin says Russia is willing to work with whomever is declared the next president of the United States, but that he will not offer congratulations until the winner is formally decided or a candidate concedes. SENT: 140 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-LOBSTERS — President Donald Trump positioned himself as a friend of New England’s lobstermen, but members of the industry said they are looking forward to the possibility of stability under President-elect Joe Biden. Trump’s trade war with China led to a rocky few years for the industry, which is based mostly in Maine. SENT: 610 words, photos.
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MED-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THANKSGIVING-ROOKIES — Food experts say Americans nervous about making their first Thanksgiving meals can follow a few basic tips to avoid disaster. They say to plan in advance, and leave enough time for frozen turkeys to defrost. SENT: 790 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans for strict regional measures to combat COVID-19 after England’s lockdown ends Dec. 2, sparking a rebellion by members of his own party who say the move may do more harm than good. SENT: 710 words, photos. With BRITAIN-ECONOMY — UK Treasury chief shows no sign of turning off spending taps. SENT: 550 words, photo.
RELIGION-BLACK CLERGY VS COVID — Black clergy leaders are joining forces with the United Way of New York City for a new initiative designed to combat the coronavirus’ outsized toll on African Americans through ramped-up testing, contact tracing and treatment management. SENT: 550 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SPAIN-MARKET — Madrid’s ancient and emblematic Rastro flea market has reopened after a contentious eight-month closure because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has walloped the Spanish capital. With many major European flea markets still shut down, the Rastro’s return seems to be another example of Madrid’s bid to show that heavy coronavirus restrictions may not be necessary even amid the latest surge. SENT: 810 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korea is imposing stricter social distancing rules in the greater Seoul area to fight a coronavirus resurgence, as the country registered more than 300 new cases for the fifth straight day. SENT: 760 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GERMANY-PROTESTS — A video went viral of a confrontation at a coronavirus protest in Germany, where a young woman compared herself to a famous Nazi resistance fighter and then was accused by a security guard of “trivializing” the Holocaust. SENT: 330 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SMALL-BUSINESS-VACCINE — Promising news about a coronavirus vaccine has small business owners feeling more upbeat despite cases of the virus surging in many parts of the U.S. Owners hope consumers and businesses will be more relaxed about spending now that two drug companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have vaccines that data show were highly effective in testing. SENT: 960 words, photos.
SERBIA-PATRIARCH’S-FUNERAL — Thousands of people attended the funeral of Serbian Patriarch Irinej who died after contracting the coronavirus, many ignoring preventive measures against the virus. Many mourners and most priests did not wear masks or keep distance inside the church, kissing the glass shield covering Irinej’s remains and even using a single spoon during the holy communion. SENT: 280 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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G-20-SUMMIT-TRUMP — President Donald Trump rails against the Paris climate accord that he quit and tells world leaders at a virtual summit that the agreement was designed to cripple the U.S. economy, not save the planet. Trump, weeks away from leaving office, has worked to undo most of President Barack Obama’s efforts to fight climate change. President-elect Joe Biden has said he will rejoin the global pact that the U.S. helped forge five years ago. By Deb Riechmann and Aya Batrawy. SENT: 450 words, photos.
US-POMPEO-GULF TOUR — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is defending his tour of Arab Gulf states and the Trump administration’s continued efforts to squeeze Iran, even as a new U.S. administration led by Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House in January. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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LEBANON-MILITARY TRIALS — Human rights lawyers say dozens of Lebanese protesters tried before military courts face proceedings that grossly violate due process and fail to investigate allegations of torture and abuse. The defendants say the system is used to intimidate protesters and prop up Lebanon’s ruling elite. By Amir-Hussein Radjy. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
BURKINA-FASO-ELECTION — Fears of attacks by extremists prevented voting in many parts of Burkina Faso as the country went to the polls for presidential and legislative elections marred by ongoing violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. SENT: 830 words, photos.
AZERBAIJAN-LOOKING HOMEWARD — As Azerbaijan regains control of land it lost to Armenian forces a quarter-century ago, civilians who fled the fighting decades ago wonder if they can go back home now — and if there’s still a home to go back to. SENT: 640 words, photos.
ETHIOPIA-MILITARY CONFRONTATION — Ethiopia’s military is warning civilians in the besieged Tigray regional capital that there will be “no mercy” if they don’t “save themselves” before a final offensive to flush out defiant regional leaders — a threat that Human Rights Watch said could violate international law. SENT: 320 words, photos.
TURKEY-ERDOGAN — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey sees itself as a part of Europe, but he called on the European Union to “keep your promises” on issues such as the country’s membership bid and refugees. SENT: 390 words, photo.
FINLAND-SWEDEN-FERRY AGROUND — A passenger ferry that ran aground in heavy winds in a Baltic Sea archipelago between Finland and Sweden was dragged off the shore and towed early Sunday to a port, where some of its over 300 passengers disembarked. SENT: 320 words, photos.
NIGERIA POLICE-PROTEST — The Nigerian Army has admitted for the first time that soldiers were given live bullets when they went to disperse a large crowd at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, where several peaceful protesters were killed in late October. SENT: 300 words, photos.
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CHARLESTON FLOODING FUTURE — Charleston, South Carolina has remained relatively unscathed this hurricane season. That means more time to mull a $1.75 billion proposal by the Army Corps of Engineers that features a sea wall along the city’s peninsula to protect it from deadly storm surge during hurricanes. It’s one of several coastal cities where the Corps has recently suggested surge gates, levees and other infrastructure as potential flooding fixes. SENT: 920 words, photos.
DEADLY-SHOOTING-FAST-FOOD-RESTAURANT — Authorities arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack at a Nebraska fast food restaurant in which two people were shot and killed, two were wounded and officers responding to a report of a possible bomb inside a moving truck in the parking lot arrived to find the vehicle on fire. SENT: 330 words, photos.
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MUSIC-AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS — Get ready to listen to the smooth sounds of Kenny G and ... the Weeknd. The saxophonist will join the pop star for a live rendition of his hit song “In Your Eyes” at the 2020 American Music Awards. The Weeknd — who scored eight nominations and ties rapper Roddy Ricch for most nominations — will also perform “Save Your Tears.” By Music Writer Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 230 words, photos. UPCOMING: Story will be updated around 8:15 p.m. EST after start of show.
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FBC-T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL — Alabama is now a unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll, and Northwestern has moved up to No. 11 for its best ranking in 24 years. For the second straight week, the top eight teams in the poll held their spots. SENT: 530 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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