AP News Digest 7 a.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 4 years, 1 month AGO
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.
______________
_____________
VIRUS-OUTBREAK — The U.S. COVID-19 vaccination campaign has begun, and the few available doses are mostly going into the arms of health-care workers and nursing home residents. But what about in January, February and March, when more shots are expected to become available? Who should get those doses? By Medical Writer Mike Stobbe. SENT: 1,210 words, photo. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST; VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VACCINE-STATES — Some states say Pfizer vaccine allotments cut for next week.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VACCINE — The head of the Food and Drug Administration says that his agency will move to quickly authorize the second COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by Moderna, to fight the pandemic, hours after the shot won the key endorsement of a government advisory panel. By Matthew Perrone and Lauran Neergaard. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
FEDERAL AGENCIES HACKED-CONSEQUENCES — All fingers are pointing to Russia as author of the worst-ever hack of U.S. government agencies. But President Donald Trump, long wary of blaming Moscow for cyberattacks, has so far been silent. By Eric Tucker, Frank Bajak and Matthew Lee. SENT: 990 words, photos. With FEDERAL AGENCIES HACKED — Hack against U.S. is “grave" threat, cybersecurity agency says.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRISONS — One in very five state and federal prisoners in the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus, a rate more than four times higher than the general population. In some states, more than half of prisoners have been infected, according to data collected by The Associated Press and The Marshall Project. By Beth Schwartzapfel and Katie Park of The Marshall Project and Andrew Demillo of The Associated Press. SENT; 1,530 words, photos.
IRAN — Iran has begun construction on a site at its underground nuclear facility at Fordo amid tensions with the U.S. over its atomic program, satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press show. Iran has not publicly acknowledged any new construction at Fordo, whose discovery by the West in 2009 came in an earlier round of brinkmanship before world powers struck the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 820 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WINTER TRAVEL — Tens of millions of people are expected to travel to family gatherings or winter vacations over Christmas, despite pleas by public health experts who fear the result could be another surge in COVID-19 cases. By Business Writers David Koenig and Dee-Ann Durbin. SENT: 1,240 words, photos.
_______________________________
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
_______________________________
ONE-GOOD-THING-INDIA-POND-MAN — Indian shepherd combats water scarcity by building ponds. SENT: 750 words, photos.
PNC-CHAMPIONSHIP — From father to son, Tiger Woods looking only for enjoyment. SENT: 710 words, photos.
FRANCE-TRANSGENDER STUDENT — French teens protest after transgender classmate’s suicide. SENT: 280 words.
AUSTRALIA-DEAD-COUPLE — Australia describes couple’s death as “terrorism incident.” SENT: 210 words, photo.
_________________________________
_________________________________
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — The Trump administration helped bring about vaccinations against the coronavirus earlier than even some of his own officials had hoped for, but the president has been largely absent from the effort to sell the American public on what aides hope will be a key part of his legacy. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Congressional negotiators working on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggle through a handful of remaining snags. SENT: 970 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-VACCINES — Pelosi, McConnell to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the next few days.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE — As French President Emmanuel Macron rides out the coronavirus in a presidential retreat at Versailles, French doctors are warning families who are heading for the holidays to remain cautious because of an uptick in infections — especially at the dinner table. SENT: 320 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-GERMANY-HOMELESS-AT-THE-HOFBRAEU — Berlin’s biggest restaurant, forced to close due to the pandemic, has opened its doors to homeless people. SENT: 670 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korea has reported 1,062 new cases of the coronavirus, its third straight day of over 1,000, as authorities in Seoul warn that hospital beds are in short supply. SENT: 620 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-WISCONSIN-NUNS — Eight nuns living at a retirement home for sisters in suburban Milwaukee died of COVID-19 complications in the last week — including four who passed away on the same day — a grim reminder of how quickly the virus can spread in congregate living situations, even when precautions are taken. SENT: 850 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA-CRISIS — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s dire view of California’s out-of-control surge of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths is based partly on projection models that he says are becoming alarmingly more accurate. SENT: 910 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ITALY-CHRISTMAS NURSES-PHOTO GALLERY — Italy ICU nurse couple bring family love to ward. SENT: 380 words, photos.
GERMANY-UN — The secretary general of the United Nations stressed that as wealthy nations roll out the coronavirus vaccine for their citizens, the world also needs to ensure it is available for “everyone, everywhere.” SENT: 210 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
________________________
________________________
BIDEN-CONGRESS — President-elect Joe Biden brings more Capitol Hill experience than any president in decades. But his transition has stumbled in its interactions with Congress, leaving the impression his team is misreading the audience he’ll be relying on for legislative success. By Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,060 words, photos. With BIDEN-CABINET — Biden picks Regan for EPA nominee, Haaland for interior head.
LOS-ANGELES-MAYOR — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has taken his name out of consideration for a possible post in the Biden administration. SENT: 1,010 words, photos, video.
_________________
________________
NIGERIA-BOKO-HARAM-SCHOOL-ATTACK — More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys, freed after being kidnapped last week in an attack on their school, have arrived in the capital of Katsina state to celebrations of their release. SENT: 510 words, photos.
BREXIT — The European Union’s chief negotiator says that the bloc and the United Kingdom are starting a “last attempt” to clinch a post-Brexit trade deal, with EU fishing rights in British waters the most notable remaining obstacle to avoid a chaotic and costly changeover on New Year. SENT: 610 words, photos.
FIJI-CYCLONE — A powerful cyclone hit Fiji overnight, killing at least two people and destroying dozens of homes in the Pacific island nation, authorities say. SENT: 530 words, photos.
INDONESIA-MUSLIM-PROTEST — Supporters of a detained firebrand cleric marched in Indonesia’s capital to demand his release and justice for six followers who were killed by police. SENT: 410 words, photos.
__________
__________
CALIFORNIA BAR SHOOTING-REPORT — A sheriff’s sergeant accidentally shot by a fellow police officer as they responded to a mass shooting at a California bar had tripped and fallen during the chaos and was struck by the fatal bullet when he stood up and tried to retreat, according to a prosecutors’ report that finds both officers acted lawfully when they fired their weapons. SENT: 670 words, photos.
————————————————
————————————————-
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Global stock markets and U.S. futures were mostly lower after Wall Street hit a new high on optimism over economic stimulus and coronavirus vaccine development despite a spike in U.S. unemployment claims. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 560 words, photos.
BIG TECH-ANTITRUST-STATES — As a wave of antitrust actions surges against Google and Facebook, states in two lawsuits are stretching beyond the cases made by federal competition enforcers to level bold new claims. The latest case came as dozens of states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the search giant exercises an illegal monopoly over the online search market, hurting consumers and advertisers. By Marcy Gordon and Colleen Slevin. SENT: 700 words, photo.
—————
—————
BILLS-5 YEARS — The widow of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ralph Wilson can only envision how giddy he would be upon seeing the Buffalo Bills’ newfound success. An AP Interview. By Sports Writer John Wawrow. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
___________________
HOW TO REACH US
___________________
At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Donald E. King (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Phil Holm (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.