AP News Digest 5:45 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 — Faulting inaction in Washington, governors and state lawmakers are racing to get pandemic relief to small-business owners, the unemployed, renters and others whose livelihoods have been upended by the widening coronavirus outbreak. By Cedar Attanasio and Julie Carr Smyth. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
IRAN — An opinion piece published by a hard-line Iranian newspaper suggests Iran should attack the Israeli port city of Haifa if Israel carried out the killing of the scientist who founded the Islamic Republic’s military nuclear program in the early 2000s. By Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell. SENT: 830 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-PENNSYLVANIA-MAIL-IN-VOTING — Pennsylvania’s highest court on Saturday night threw out a lower court’s order preventing the state from certifying dozens of contests on its Nov. 3 election ballot in the latest lawsuit filed by Republicans attempting to thwart President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the battleground state. SENT: 500 words, photo.
ETHIOPIA-MILITARY-CONFRONTATION — The U.S. Embassy in Eritrea says six explosions were heard Saturday night in the capital, Asmara. It follows an embassy report of another “loud noise, possibly an explosion” in the city on Friday, nearly two weeks after the government of neighboring Ethiopia’s defiant Tigray region confirmed firing missiles at the city during its war with Ethiopian federal forces. By Cara Anna. SENT: 290 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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BRITAIN-OBIT-DAVE PROWSE — Dave Prowse, actor who played Darth Vader, dies at 85. SENT: 220 words.
MASON FOLLOWER-PAROLE — Governor nixes parole for Manson follower Leslie Van. SENT: 280 words.
VANDERBILT-FEMALE KICKER — Vanderbilt K Fuller becomes first woman to play in Power 5 SENT: 810 words, photos.
ODD-RARE TURTLES-ROUGH RESCUE — Rough rescue: Storms, broken plane force layover for turtles. SENT: 310 words, photos.
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — Cambodian officials say a family of six and another man tested positive for the coronavirus in a rare case of local infection, and Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed concern that the woman believed to be the source had traveled extensively in the country, including the capital. SENT: 610 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLORADO GOVERNOR — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has tested positive for the coronavirus. Polis and his partner, Marlon Reis, both have COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, the governor said in a statement Saturday night. SENT: 210 words, photo.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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TRUMP-RUSSIA-PROBE-LAWSUIT — A former Trump campaign associate who was the target of a secret surveillance warrant during the FBI’s Russia investigation says in a federal lawsuit that he was the victim of “unlawful spying.” SENT: 470 words, photos.
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AFGHANISTAN — At least 34 people were killed on Sunday in two separate suicide bombings in Afghanistan that targeted a military base and a provincial chief, officials say. SENT: 420 words, photos.
NIGERIA-VIOLENCE — Suspected members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram killed at least 40 rice farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting crops in Nigeria’s northern Borno State, officials say. SENT: 420 words, photos.
BRAZIL-MAYORAL ELECTIONS — The mayor of the largest city in the Americas is trying to fend off a reelection challenge from the socialist leader of a squatters movement as 57 Brazilian cities hold runoff elections. SENT: 510 words.
CUBA-DEMONSTRATION — A group of Cuban artists and intellectuals say they won an unusual government vow of greater tolerance for independent art after a demonstration in front of the Culture Ministry that grew to about 200 people. SENT: 510 words, photos.
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US-MALL-SHOOTING — Police are looking for a gunman who shot and killed two teens at a Northern California mall in the midst of Black Friday, sending shoppers running for safety, authorities said. SENT: 325 words, photos.
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BUSINESS
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BLACK-FRIDAY-METRICS — Black Friday online sales hit a new record this year as pandemic-wary Americans filled virtual carts instead of real ones. Consumers spent an estimated $9 billion on U.S. retail websites on Black Friday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping. That was a 22% increase over the previous record of $7.4 billion set in 2019. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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BOX-TYSON-JONES — Mike Tyson stepped through the ropes in his signature black trunks and heard the opening bell in a boxing ring for the first time in 15 years. The former heavyweight champion of the world traded lively punches with Roy Jones Jr. for eight entertaining rounds that ended with two middle-aged legends wearily hugging each other in mutual admiration. Their fight was only an exhibition, and it ended in a draw. By Sports Writer GREG BEACHAM. SENT: 750 words, photos.
T25-AUBURN-ALABAMA — Mac Jones passed for 302 yards and five touchdowns, highlighted by two long ones to DeVonta Smith, and No. 1 Alabama rolled over rival No. 22 Auburn 42-13 on Saturday without coach Nick Saban. By John Zenor. SENT: 740 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.