BC-AP News Digest 7 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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TOP STORIES

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IRAN PLANE CRASH — Iranian security forces fired both live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting against the Islamic Republic's initial denial that it shot down a Ukrainian jetliner, online videos purported to show Monday. Videos sent to the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran and later verified by The Associated Press show a crowd of demonstrators near Azadi, or Freedom, Square fleeing as a tear gas canister landed among them. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 880 words, photos, video.

UNITED STATES-IRAN — Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other administration officials joined President Donald Trump in trying to draw attention to dissent in Iran instead of lingering questions about the scale of the threat used to justify a drone strike on Iran’s top military leader. By National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 860 words, photos.

TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT — President Donald Trump said the Senate should simply dismiss the impeachment case against him, an extraordinary suggestion as the House is poised to transmit the charges to the chamber for the historic trial. By Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 900 words, photos. With TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-SENATE-WHAT TO WATCH — The articles of impeachment continue their slow-motion journey to the Senate this week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s ready, almost, to forward them this week. SENT: 1,230 words, photos.

ELECTION 2020-IOWA — Presidential candidates have swarmed Iowa’s rolling landscape for more than a year, making their pitch to potential supporters on campuses, county fairgrounds and in high school gymnasiums. But three weeks before the caucuses usher in the Democratic contest, the battle for the state is wide open. By Thomas Beaumont and Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 1,440 words, photos. WITH ELECTION 2020-WATCH — 2020 Watch: Will the debate provide any clarity? SENT: 870 words, photos.

PHILIPPINES-VOLCANO — Red-hot lava gushed out of a volcano near the Philippine capital on Monday, as tens of thousands of people fled the area through heavy ash and frightening tremors. Experts warned that the eruption could get worse and plans were being made to evacuate hundreds of thousands more. SENT: 910 words, photos, video.

BRITAIN-ROYAL RIFT — Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is expected to meet Prince Harry face to face for the first time since he and his wife, Meghan, unveiled their controversial plan to walk away from royal roles. The dramatic family summit on Monday is meant to chart a future course for the couple. SENT: 430 words, photos. Developing, will be updated.

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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

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INDONESIA-DRUG TRIAL — An Indonesian court sentenced an American man to 9 1/3 years in prison on Monday after finding him guilty of selling cocaine and marijuana on the resort island of Bali. SENT: 310 words, photos.

DENMARK-LITTLE MERMAID— Graffiti painted on Copenhagen's Little Mermaid statue. SENT: 140 words, photos.

CHINA_SOCIAL MEDIA — China says its diplomats and government officials will fully exploit foreign social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter that are blocked off to its own citizens. SENT; 200 words.

FLIGHT PASSENGER RAMS COCKPIT — Reports: Man rams cockpit; fights with officers at airport. SENT: 250 words.

TV-COLBERT-NEW SERIES — Colbert is 'Tooning Out the News' with new animated series. SENT: 160 words.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION 2020-DEMOCRATS — Democrats standing in a cold New Hampshire parking lot are desperate for change after years of Donald Trump's turbulent presidency, but they and other Democratic voters considering a presidential nominee are grappling with just how much change is too much in 2020. By National Political Writer Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,220 words, photos.

ELECTION 2020-WISCONSIN-EX-FELONS — Community activists believe there are thousands of former prisoners across Wisconsin who have the right to vote but don't know it. They say those people could be a factor next year in a state known for deciding elections by the narrowest of margins. SENT: 1,200 words, photos, video.

NAVAL AIR STATION SHOOTING — The United States is preparing to remove more than a dozen Saudi military students from a training program and return them to their home country after an investigation into a deadly shooting by a Saudi aviation student at a Florida navy base last month, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. By Eric Tucker and Mike Balsamo. SENT: 650 words, photos. The Justice Department scheduled a 2 p.m. EST news conference with Attorney General William Barr and Deputy FBI Director David Bowdich.

FACT CHECK-WEEK — President Donald Trump's relentless attacks on the impeachment investigation and Democrats' stance on Iran strained the truth on various fronts, from claiming that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani to asserting that even Ukraine's president said Trump did nothing wrong in withholding military aid. By Hope Yen and Calvin Woodward. SENT: 3,280 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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VATICAN-MARRIED PRIESTS — Retired Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence to reaffirm the “necessity" of priestly celibacy. Benedict has co-authored a bombshell book at the precise moment Pope Francis is weighing whether to allow married men to be ordained to address the Catholic priest shortage. SENT: 920 words, photo.

SAUDI ARABIA-G20 BOYCOTT — Three leading international NGOs say they're boycotting meetings Saudi Arabia is holding with civil society groups ahead of hosting this year's Group of 20 summit. SENT: 590 words, photos.

NEW ZEALAND-VOLCANO ERUPTS — An Australian man who was injured in a volcanic eruption in New Zealand more than a month ago has died, becoming the 20th victim of the disaster. SENT: 390 words, photo.

KASHMIR-OFFICER ARRESTED — Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir have arrested a long serving counterinsurgency officer for allegedly having ties with rebels fighting against Indian rule in the disputed region. SENT: 760 words.

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NATIONAL

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SEVERE WEATHER — Icy roads, deadly tornadoes, punishing waves were all part of the severe weekend weather blamed for 11 deaths and major damage in parts of the Midwest, South and Northeast. sent: 600 words, photos, video.

ABORTION-KANSAS — Top Kansas Republicans want to head off any push for an abortion ban in the state even as they make overturning a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that protects abortion rights a top priority. By AP Political Writer John Hanna. SENT: 780 words, photo.

HEMP REGULATIONS-WORRIED GROWERS — Hemp was ushered in as a federally legal agricultural crop under the groundbreaking 2018 Farm Bill. But now, draft rules for growing the cannabis plant closely related to marijuana have farmers up in arms. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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OSCAR NOMINATIONS — Who will be celebrating Oscar morning? Brad Pitt for sure. Jennifer Lopez almost certainly. And very possibly the Obamas, too. Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards, which will begin at 8:18 a.m. EST Monday, should bring plenty of star power to the Feb. 9 ceremony — a good thing, too, since the show will for the second straight year go without a host. By Jake Coyle. SENT: 800 words, photos.

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SPORTS

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ON FOOTBALL-TITLE GAMES— So goes a wild weekend of historic offensive performances by Derrick Henry and nearly every Kansas City Chief. It was spiced by some timely defense from all the winners. They gave us the answers to the makeup of the NFL's Final Four. By AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 880 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Dave Clark 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.