Lebanon to start lockdown amid post-holiday infections surge

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon will begin a 25-day nationwide lockdown Thursday to battle a surge in coronavirus infections during the holiday season that has challenged the country’s already battered health care sector.

Kuwait says Saudi Arabia to lift embargo on Qatar, opening its air and land borders in first steps to end Gulf crisis

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait says Saudi Arabia to lift embargo on Qatar, opening its air and land borders in first steps to end Gulf crisis.

Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, open airspace and border

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Kuwait’s foreign ministry announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will open its air and land borders with Qatar in the first steps toward ending a diplomatic crisis that has deeply div…

AP News Digest 2 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

Jihadists in Niger kill at least 100 in mounting violence

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — More than 100 civilians were killed in Niger over the weekend by extremists who attacked two villages, as insurgent violence mounts in the West African nation.

Georgia Runoff Election, ADVISORY

Georgia's runoff election for its two Senate seats takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Polls open at 7 a.m. Eastern and close at 7 p.m. Eastern. The AP plans the following coverage. For up-to-the minute information on …

Trump pressures Georgia elections chief: 'Find 11,780 votes'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump pressured Georgia's Republican secretary of state to “find” enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's win in the state's presidential election, repeatedly citing disproven claims…

In Georgia, final warnings about high-stakes Senate runoffs

MILNER, Ga. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence warned conservative Christian voters in Georgia on Monday that a pair of high-stakes Senate runoffs might offer “the last line of defense” against a Democratic takeover …

Lawyers to meet with Irish police over Black man's shooting

LONDON (AP) — Lawyers representing the family of a Black man who was shot dead by police in Ireland said Monday they will meet with police ombudsman investigators to seek to find out what happened.

BC-150-actives-n

Black California surgeon 'walks the walk' on virus vaccine

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Dr. David Tom Cooke says his choice to participate in a clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine is like his grandmother’s decision to leave the Jim Crow South to work in California’s nava…

Remorseful man returns statue's stolen sword after 40 years

WESTFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A veteran returned a sword he stole from a statue of a Revolutionary War general 40 years ago, telling the head of the Massachusetts town's historical commission that he regretted taking it.

Faith leaders urge Congress to honor election result

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 2,000 faith leaders and religious activists are calling on members of Congress to honor the result of November’s election and avoid “a delayed and drawn out objection” this week when Pre…

Students protest rector tapped to head Istanbul university

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish police on Monday clashed with hundreds of students protesting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s appointment of a figure with ties to his ruling party as rector to one of Turkey’s most prestig…

UK's Johnson to outline new restrictions to slow COVID-19

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to outline tougher restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 on Monday, even as Britain ramped up its vaccination program by becoming the first nation to start usi…