AP News Digest 3:20 a.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 7 months 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.
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AFRICA-VIRUS FEARS — The new virus that has spread across China has yet to be confirmed in Africa, but some health workers on the ground warn they are not ready to handle an outbreak. Global health authorities are increasingly worried about the threat as African countries race to take precautions as hundreds of travelers arrive daily from China. By Dake Kang, Noel Sichalwe and Cara Anna. SENT: 1,360 words, photos. This story has moved as the Sunday Spotlight.
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ELECTION 2020 — Democratic presidential front-runners Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg beat back a barrage of attacks during a debate as rivals raised persistent questions about their ideology and experience, hoping to sow doubts about their ability to defeat President Donald Trump. By National Political Writer Steve Peoples Kathleen Ronayne and Hunter Woodall. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-TAKEAWAYS, ELECTION 2020-DEBATE-FACT CHECK — Highlights and stumbles (both sent).
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT — President Donald Trump exacts swift punishment against those who crossed him during his impeachment hearings, ousting two government officials who had delivered damaging testimony. By Deb Riechmann, Colleen Long and Nancy Benac. SENT: 1,210 words, photos. With TRUMP-MANCHIN — Trump criticizes West Virginia Democrat on impeachment votes (sent).
Find full coverage of the impeachment inquiry in AP Newsroom.
CHINA-OUTBREAK — The number of confirmed cases of the new virus has risen again in China while fatalities increases to 722 including an American, as the ruling Communist Party faced anger and recriminations from the public over the death of a doctor who was threatened by police after trying to sound the alarm about the disease over a month ago. SENT: 710 words, photos. With CHINA OUTBREAK-AT A GLANCE; CHINA OUTBREAK-KEEPING-CITIES-FED — China scrambles to keep cities in virus lockdown fed (sent).
MILITARY-SUICIDES — The number of suicides in the active-duty Air Force jumped last year to the highest level in at least three decades, exceeding the worst years of the post-9/11 period. The increase, from 60 suicides in 2018 to 84 last year, came even as other services saw their numbers stabilize or decline. By National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 780 words, photo.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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PEOPLE-HASTY PUDDING-PLATT — Ben Platt named Hasty Pudding's 2020 Man of the Year. SENT: 300 words, photo.
BASKETBALL COACH-FATAL PUNCH — Assistant basketball coach guilty of assault for fatal punch. SENT: 280 words, photos.
MISSISSIPPI DEATH PENALTY CASE — New Mississippi AG reviewing 6-trial murder case. SENT: 350 words, photo.
CASINO-ABSTRACT-NEVADA — Largest Nevada casinos report $2 billion gain in fiscal 2019. SENT: 200 words, photo.
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ELECTION 2020-NEW HAMPSHIRE — A few days before the next Democratic primary, the scene in New Hampshire is downright calm. The campaigns are expected to shift into overdrive, starting with a major state party dinner. By Kathleen Ronayne and Hunter Woodall. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-IOWA TURNOUT — Iowa Democrats are recovering from a number of disappointments after Monday's Iowa caucuses, though one has received less attention than the others. SENT: 470 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-BUTTIGIEG FUNDRAISING — Pete Buttigieg says he has raised $4 million since the Iowa caucuses, an impressive haul for a candidate looking to capitalize on his strong showing to continue building a national political brand. SENT: 470 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-DNC CHANGES — A top Democrat in Congress says the party's future under Tom Perez is under scrutiny amid fallout from the Iowa caucuses and the winnowing of candidates of color from the presidential primary field. SENT: 460 words, photo. WITH: ELECTION 2020-IOWA CAUCUSES — The Iowa Democratic Party extends until Monday a deadline for presidential candidates to request a review of the results of this week's caucuses. SENT: 440 words, photo.
EPA-DISMISSAL SPAT — The Environmental Protection Agency abruptly pushes out its top regional official for California and other points West, touching off an unusual public dispute between the two over the reason why. SENT: 630 words, photo.
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KOBE BRYANT HELICOPTER CRASH — The pilot of the helicopter that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant and eight others was almost out of blinding clouds when he suddenly plunged and crashed into a Southern California hillside, investigators and aviation experts indicate. SENT: 920 words, photos.
IMMIGRATION-LAW ENFORCEMENT — A federal judge has prohibited U.S. immigration authorities from relying on databases deemed faulty to ask law enforcement agencies to hold people in custody, a setback for the Trump administration that threatens to hamper how it carries out arrests. SENT: 510 words, photos.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS-BRIBERY — Douglas Hodge, the former CEO of a top investment company, received the harshest sentence of any of the parents caught up in the college admissions bribery scandal. SENT: 390 words, photos.
SCHOOL SHOOTING-COLORADO — The younger of two students charged in a school shooting in suburban Denver that killed a classmate pleaded guilty under an agreement that gives him a chance to be paroled after serving about 25 years in prison. SENT: 370 words, photos.
KESHA-PRODUCER CLASH — Pop singer Kesha made a false claim that Dr. Luke raped Katy Perry when there's “no evidence whatsoever” that he did, a judge ruled this week while sending a long-running clash between Kesha and her former mentor toward trial. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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BRITAIN-AMBASSADOR — Britain’s new ambassador to the United States says she looks forward to expanding the traditional security and economic partnership between the two nations to new areas like artificial intelligence and to having talks with President Donald Trump, who has always been “gracious and friendly” to her. SENT: 890 words, photos.
HAITI-PRESIDENT — President Jovenel Moise says he is optimistic that negotiations with a coalition of his political opponents will succeed in forging a power-sharing deal to end months of deadlock that have left Haiti without a functioning government. sent; 740 words, photos.
INDIA-NEW DELHI-ELECTIONS — Voting began for a crucial state election in India’s capital on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party trying to regain power after a 22-year gap and major victories in a national vote. SENT: 460 words, photos.
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PET STORES-PUPPY MILL LAW — A federal judge on Friday threw out a lawsuit that challenged Maryland's newly enacted ban on the sale of dogs and cats by retail pet stores, a statute billed as a check against unlicensed and unsanitary “puppy mills.” SENT: 660 words, photo.
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BBO--SPRING TRAINING — Baseball returns to the field next week when pitchers, catchers and cheaters report to spring training. Fans await the annual sunny scenes of favorites stretching on bright green grass in Florida and Arizona. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. SENT: 930 words, photos.
HKN--OVECHKIN 700 — Alex Ovechkin is this generation's greatest goal scorer. He has done it with a mix of size, physicality, a deceptive release and a shot goalies liken to a knuckleball. The Washington Capitals captain is on the verge of becoming the eighth player with 700 goals. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 800 words, photos.
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