AP News Digest 2:15 p.m.
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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SUPREME COURT-BARRETT — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett vows to be a justice “fearless of criticism” as the split Senate charges ahead with confirmation hearings on President Donald Trump’s pick to cement a conservative court majority before Election Day. Barrett draws on faith and family in her prepared opening remarks for the hearings, which begin Monday. She says courts “should not try” to make policy but leave those decisions to the government’s political branches. She believes she would bring “a few new perspectives” as the first mother of school-age children on the nine-member court. By Mark Sherman, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Michael Balsamo. SENT: 980 words, photos. With SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-SENATORS TO WATCH — A look at some of senators to watch as the four-day hearings kick off Monday; SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-VIEWERS GUIDE, SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-QUOTES, SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-OPINIONS (all sent).
SUPREME COURT-BARRETT-FAITH — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s affiliation with the Christian community People of Praise is drawing scrutiny because of what former members and observers describe as its ultraconservative views on women. Her defenders say scrutinizing her beliefs and relationship to the mostly Catholic organization is akin to anti-religious bigotry. But in interviews with a dozen former members of the organization and graduates of the schools it runs, most told The Associated Press that Barrett’s association with the group should be examined when the Senate takes up her nomination beginning Monday. Barrett did not disclose her connection to the group, and several former members say she should have. By Michelle R. Smith. SENT: 1,490 words, photos. An abridged version of 980 words is available.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN-MOMENT — Presidential hopefuls tend to declare every upcoming election the most important one that voters have faced in their lifetime. Joe Biden goes bigger. He portrays 2020 as an entanglement of social, economic, political, environmental and public health crises as threatening to America’s stability as the Civil War and the Great Depression. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 990 words, photos. With ELECTION-2020-OHIO-BIDEN — Biden visit Monday caps push into Ohio, once a longshot. SENT: 430 words, photo.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — COVID-19 can do more than torment patients physically. It also clobbers some financially. Even though many insurers and the U.S. government have offered to pick up or waive costs tied to the virus, holes remain for big bills to slip through and surprise patients. By Tom Murphy. SENT: 960 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (sent).
ASTEROID IMPOSTOR? — The jig may be up for an “asteroid” that’s expected to get nabbed by Earth’s gravity and become a mini moon next month. Instead of a cosmic rock, the newly discovered object appears to be an old rocket from a failed moon-landing mission 54 years ago that’s finally making its way back home, according to NASA’s leading asteroid expert. If observations continue to support his theory, Paul Chodas said this would be the first time that an object discovered as an asteroid in orbit around the sun, versus Earth, ends up strongly linked to an actual rocket launch. By Marcia Dunn. SENT: 950 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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DENVER-PROTEST-SHOOTING — A private security guard working for a TV station was in custody Saturday after a person died from a shooting that took place during dueling protests in downtown Denver. SENT: 280 words, photos. Developing.
PEOPLE-BJÖRN ULVAEUS — ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus pens support for Day of the Girl Child. SENT: 650 words, photos.
TRAIN-DERAILMENT — Fire erupts, homes evacuated in Georgia train derailment. SENT: 180 words, photo.
CAMBODIA-FLOODING — Flooding in Cambodia leaves at least 11 dead. SENT: 120 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GOVERNORS — Hospitalizations from COVID-19 have hit their highest points recently throughout the Midwest, where the growth in new cases has been the worst in the nation. But that’s not the message coming from a number of Republican governors in the region, who are working to find silver linings in the ominous health data as outbreaks surge in their states. SENT: 930 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — Millions of people in northern England are anxiously waiting to hear how much further virus restrictions will be tightened as one of the British government’s leading medical advisers warn that the country is at a crucial juncture in the second wave of the coronavirus. SENT: 710 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE-NURSES — A significant proportion of French nurses responding are fed up, with many saying that the health crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic makes them want to change jobs. SENT: 440 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ISRAEL-ARMY-HOSPITAL — The Israeli military has opened a new coronavirus unit in a converted parking garage at a hospital in northern Israel, in a first-of-its-kind effort by the army to assist the country’s overloaded health care system. SENT: 400 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-INDIA — India’s confirmed coronavirus toll crossed 7 million with a number of new cases dipping in recent weeks, even as health experts warn of mask and distancing fatigue setting in. SENT: 670 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — The premier of Australia’s Victoria state is stepping up his fight with members of the public who don’t comply with pandemic regulations, saying close contacts of those infected who refuse a test will have to spend 21 days in quarantine. SENT: 300 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-AA-FOUNDER’S-BIRTHPLACE — The shrinelike birthplace of one of the two Vermont natives who founded Alcoholics Anonymous is in danger of closing, another victim of the restrictions made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 790 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NO-NUTCRACKERS — For many, it’s not Christmas without the dance of Clara, Uncle Drosselmeyer, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and, of course, the Nutcracker Prince. But this year the coronavirus pandemic has canceled performances of “The Nutcracker” around the U.S. and Canada, eliminating a major and reliable source of revenue for dance companies already reeling financially following the essential shutdown of their industry. SENT: 910 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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ELECTION 2020-FLORIDA-JAMAICAN VOTERS — In the booming Black Caribbean community centered in Florida's Broward County, voters in the Democratic stronghold are eager to defeat Trump, but say they are even more energized to turn out in support of Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, whose father is Jamaican. SENT: 760 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-SENATE-SOUTH-CAROLINA — South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison has shattered congressional fundraising records, bringing in $57 million in the final quarter for his Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham as the GOP tries to retain control of the chamber in the Nov. 3 election. SENT: 650 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-MISSOURI-GOVERNOR — A conservative political action committee in Missouri is facing accusations of racism after posting a website that uses images of violent protests and photos of Black politicians to attack the Democratic candidate for governor on her support for police. SENT: 700 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-TEXAS-VOTING — A federal appeals court issued a temporary order that blocks Texas counties from setting up multiple drop-off locations for mail-in ballots. SENT: 190 words.
ELECTION 2020-SENATE-GEORGIA — A seemingly endless stream of ads in Georgia accuse Republican Sen. David Perdue of being “corrupt” and “out for himself.” But the senator isn’t pulling any counterpunches and casts his Democratic rival as “too radical” and backing a “socialist agenda.” With in-person campaigning dampened by the coronavirus, advertising has taken on even greater importance in Perdue’s race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. SENT: 850 words, photo.
ELECTION-2020-LOS-ANGELES-DISTRICT-ATTORNEY — Race and police reform are clashing in what has become a bitter campaign for Los Angeles County district attorney. Mayor Eric Garcetti recently withdrew his support from Jackie Lacey in her run for re-election and endorsed her opponent. SENT: 960 words, photos.
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TROPICAL WEATHER — First, Hurricane Laura roared ashore with its staggering, 150 mph (241 kph) winds. Then Hurricane Delta followed, with less wind but with ferocious downpours. The two back-to-back hurricanes in the space of six weeks have left this pocket of southwest Louisiana blanketed with tarpaulins, debris and flooded streets — but not despair. SENT: 940 words, photos, videos.
VETERANS-DEATHS-WEST-VIRGINIA — Tentative settlements have been reached in several civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the families of veterans who died at a West Virginia hospital where a former nursing assistant admitted to intentionally killing seven people with fatal doses of insulin. SENT: 420 words, photo.
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ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN — Azerbaijan accused Armenia of attacking its cities and villages in violation of the cease-fire deal brokered by Russia that seeks to end the worst outbreak of hostilities in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. SENT: 470 words, photos.
IRAQ-US — Iraqi militias backed by Iran have agreed to temporarily halt attacks targeting the American presence in Iraq on the condition that U.S.-led coalition troops withdraw from the country in line with a parliamentary resolution, three of the militia officials say. SENT: 580 words.
BELARUS-PROTESTS — Scores of people were detained in Belarus during protests against the country’s authoritarian leader, who won his sixth term in office in a vote widely seen as rigged, a Belarusian rights group said. SENT: 540 words, photos.
LIBYA — Libya’s national oil company announces it is resuming production at the country’s largest oil field as rival officials from eastern and western Libya began peace talks, part of preliminary negotiations ahead a U.N.-brokered dialogue set to take place next month. SENT: 600 words, photo.
SRI LANKA-CHINA — China announces it is providing a $90 million grant to Sri Lanka, two days after the island nation’s president sought help from a visiting Chinese delegation in disproving a perception that China-funded megaprojects are “debt traps.”
LITHUANIA-ELECTIONS — Lithuanians voted in the first round of the parliamentary election in which the electorate will choose 141 national lawmakers, and the ruling four-party coalition is facing a stiff challenge from the opposition. SENT: 600 words, photos.
NKOREA-MILITARY PARADE — South Korea urges North Korea to commit to its past disarmament pledges while expressing concerns over the North’s unveiling of a suspected new long-range missile during a military parade. SENT: 350 words, photos.
CYPRUS-TURKISH-CYPRIOTS-ELECTION — Turkish Cypriots began voting for a leader tasked with overcoming their deep political chasms with rival Greek Cypriots in order to pave the way for a deal to end 46 years of ethnic division in Cyprus and quell tensions over offshore energy reserves. SENT: 470 words, photos.
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SAUDI-BANK-MERGER — Saudi Arabia’s National Commercial Bank says it will purchase rival lender Samba Financial Group in a deal valued at $14.8 billion, creating what would become the kingdom’s largest bank. SENT: 400 words, photo.
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TEN--FRENCH OPEN — Rafael Nadal tied Roger Federer with 20 Grand Slam titles by producing a nearly perfect performance against Novak Djokovic in the French Open final. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFL — The NFL has postponed the Denver-New England game indefinitely due to another positive coronavirus test with the Patriots. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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