AP News Digest 2:10 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 4 years, 4 months AGO
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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ELECTION 2020-SEPT 11 — One spent time quietly consoling families. The other proclaimed America’s might. President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe Biden were marking the 19th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks at memorials, and their differences in style couldn’t have been more sharply on display. The political significance of their visits to the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania is hard to ignore: It’s a crucial battleground state in the 2020 election. By Jill Colvin, Alexandra Jaffe and Darlene Superville. SENT: 950 words. UPCOMING: Developing from Biden 2:25 p.m. visit to Shanksville, 940 words by 5 p.m., photos, video. WITH: SEPT 11-ANNIVERSARY — Americans commemorated 9/11 on Friday as a new national crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, reconfigured anniversary ceremonies. SENT: 860 words, photos. WITH: SEPT 11-ANNIVERSARY-THE LATEST.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES — The terrible toll of California’s wildfires became more evident as a mother confirmed her 16-year-old son was among those killed when an inferno tore through several hamlets in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada this week. Jessica Williams, who earlier pleaded for her missing son Josiah to call her, told CBS13 Sacramento that DNA confirmed the teen’s death. By Adam Beam and Brian Melley. SENT: 925 words, photos WITH: WILDFIRES-MEDIA ACCESS — Journalists have captured searing, intimate images of active and dangerous wildfires burning California, due in large part to a state law that guarantees press virtually unfettered access to disaster sites. SENT: 855 words, photos.
PACIFIC-NORTHWEST-WILDFIRES — Deadly wildfires in heavily populated northwest Oregon are growing and more than 10% of the state's 4.2 million residents have been told to flee encroaching flames. Other residents to the south whose homes were destroyed are tearfully assessing their losses. By Andrew Selsky and Sara Cline. SENT: 925 words, photos. With PACIFIC NORTHWEST-WILDFIRES-MISINFORMATION — Emergency responders in the Pacific Northwest are fighting rumors along with raging wildfires as people spread unsubstantiated social media posts blaming arsonists from both the far left and far right for setting the blazes. SENT: 770 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-ISRAEL-BAHRAIN — Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to agree to normalize ties with Israel as part of a broader diplomatic push by President Trump and his administration to fully integrate the Jewish state into the Middle East. Trump announced the agreement, following a three-way phone call he had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. By Matthew Lee. SENT: 1,085 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The number of daily U.S. deaths from the coronavirus is declining again after peaking in early August, but scientists warn that a new bout with the disease this fall could claim more lives. The arrival of cooler weather and the likelihood of more indoor gatherings will add to the importance of everyday safety precautions, experts say. By Carla K. Johnson and Nicky Forster. SENT: 900 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SCHOOLS — An analysis conducted by The Associated Press and Chalkbeat shows that districts where the vast majority of students are white are more than three times as likely as school districts that enroll mostly students of color to be open for some in-person learning. By Kalyn Belsha, Michael Rubinkam, Gabrielle Lamarr Lemee and Larry Fenn. SENT: 1,620 words, photos, videos. An abridged version of 1,000 words is also available.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom and below.
TRUMP’S SECRET WEAPON — President Trump is expanding his arsenal of spectacular, but hard to explain, claims about U.S. military might. First, there were invisible airplanes. Then, a “super duper” missile. And now, a secret nuclear weapon “that nobody’s ever had in this country before.” Weapons experts are puzzling over Trump’s remarks to journalist Bob Woodward. Some think he likely was talking about a nuclear warhead that was modified to reduce its explosive power. It’s unknown to the general public — not because of secrecy or mystery but because of its obscurity. By Robert Burns. SENT: 750 words, photo.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE — The number of new COVID-19 cases is spiking in parts of Eastern Europe, with Hungary and the Czech Republic registering all-time highs. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the government is drafting a “war plan” to defend against the second wave of the pandemic. SENT: 580 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-PERU’S-FORGOTTEN-INDIGENOUS — As COVID-19 spread quickly through Peru’s Amazon, the Indigenous Shipibo community decided to turn to the wisdom of their ancestors. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRENCH HOSPITAL — Beds are filling up at a small ward in a mid-sized hospital in Marseille, reflecting the growing pressure on medical facilities across France as infections resurge. SENT: 860 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — India edges closer to recording nearly 100,000 coronavirus cases in 24 hours as it orders retesting of many people whose first results were from the less reliable rapid antigen tests being widely used. SENT: 540 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-INDIA-SEROSURVEY — Results of India’s first nationwide study of prevailing coronavirus infections found that for every confirmed case detected in May, authorities were missing between 82 and 130 others. SENT: 510 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DIARY-THE BIATHLON REFUGE — One reporter went from an international biathlon competition in Europe to an isolated home office within a matter of weeks when COVID-19 arrived in the U.S. Tracking the coronavirus death toll as it rapidly spread across was like watching a speeding train head for a cliff. SENT: 680 words, photo.
A separate wire advisory has been sent outlining AP's complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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GEORGIA PARKING DECK-COLLAPSE — Officials say at least one person was injured after a parking deck under construction in Atlanta partially collapsed. SENT: 80 words, developing.
VOTING MACHINES-GEORGIA --A federal court hearing on a challenge to Georgia’s voting machines was interrupted Friday when someone began posting a swastika, images from the Sept. 11 attacks and porn in the live Zoom session. SENT: 250 words, photo.
HUNGARY-US-TRUMP -- Hungary’s prime minister says he is rooting for the reelection of U.S. President Trump because what he represents “is good for Central Europe.” SENT: 210 words.
HYUNDAI-RECALL — For the second time this month, Hyundai is telling some SUV owners to park outdoors because an electrical short in a computer could cause vehicles to catch fire. SENT: 650 words, photos.
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TRUMP-MEDAL OF HONOR — President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to an American soldier who helped rescue dozens of hostages set to be executed by Islamic State militants in Iraq during a daring 2015 raid. SENT: 530 words. UPCOMING: Developing from 3 p.m. ceremony, 650 words by 4 p.m., photos, video.
POLL-MENTAL HEALTH-YOUNG ADULTS — The coronavirus pandemic has taken a harsh toll on the mental health of young Americans, according to a new poll that finds adults under 35 especially likely to report negative feelings or experience physical or emotional symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, a new poll finds. SENT: 857 words, photo, graphic.
HOMELAND SECURITY-WOLF NOMINATION — A whistleblower’s complaint and a tight timeline are making it increasingly unlikely that the Senate will confirm Chad Wolf as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security before the election. Allegations that DHS officials sought to alter intelligence reports on Russian election interference and other matters means that confirmation hearings would undoubtedly force President Donald Trump’s allies to confront uncomfortable questions already looming over the presidential race. UPCOMING: 700 words by 4 p.m., photo.
ELECTION 2020--WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR -- The Democratic challenger to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is slamming the Republican billionaire over lawsuits levied against his companies. It comes as a trial is set to resume involving his family-owned business and a Pennsylvania coal distributor. SENT: 525 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-WISCONSIN-ABSENTEE-Q&A -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to halt the mailing of absentee ballots raised concerns about creating delays and confusion in the presidential battleground state. SENT: 825 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
A separate wire advisory has moved outlining today’s AP election coverage.
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AFGHANISTAN-PEACE TALKS — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the much anticipated negotiations between Afghanistan’s warring parties are likely to be “contentious” but stressed that they are the only way forward if Afghans are to find peace after decades of conflict. SENT: 825 words, photos.
LEBANON-FOREIGN-HANDS — During his visit this month, French President Emmanuel Macron gave Lebanon’s politicians a road map for policy changes and reform, set deadlines for them to take action and told them he’d be back in December to check on progress. It was a hands-on approach that angered some in Lebanon and was welcomed by others. And it revived a bitter question in the tiny Mediterranean country: Can Lebanese rule themselves? SENT: 1,020 words, photos. WITH: LEBANON — Beirut fire brought under control after terrifying nation. SENT: 590 words, photos.
BREXIT— The 27 European Union nations presented a united front on dealing with the United Kingdom and negotiating a trade deal after the British government said it plans to violate part of the Brexit divorce agreement signed by both sides less than a year ago. SENT: 840 words, photos.
GREECE-MIGRANT CAMP BLAZE — Thousands of refugees and migrants left without shelter on the Greek island of Lesbos after fires destroyed the notoriously overcrowded Moria camp have held a brief protest demanding to be allowed to leave. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
INDIA-CHINA-MILITARY STANDOFF — The Indian and Chinese foreign ministers have agreed that their troops should disengage from a tense border standoff, maintain proper distance and ease tensions in the Ladakh region where the two sides in June had their deadliest clash in decades. SENT: 840 words, photos.
BOLIVIA — Human Rights Watch says terrorism charges against former Bolivian President Evo Morales appear to be politically motivated and are part of a wider campaign by Bolivia’s interim government to use the justice system against political opponents. SENT: 480 words, photos.
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GEORGE FLOYD-INVESTIGATION — Prosecutors in the case of four former Minneapolis officers charged in the death of George Floyd told a judge that the men should face trial together because the evidence and charges against them are similar, and multiple trials could traumatize witnesses and Floyd’s family. SENT: 800 words, photos.
COURT DISPUTE-FLORIDA — Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis must pick a new Supreme Court justice because the judge he picked to fill a high court vacancy is constitutionally ineligible to serve, the court said. SENT: 420 words, photos.
POLICE SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — A Wisconsin man who was shot during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha last month says he still remembers the screams that night and he’s in constant pain. SENT: 720 words, photos.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING-KLAN — Michigan State University trustees have changed the name of a campus building after determining that a man with a long record of public service was a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. SENT: 240 words.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Stocks were lower on Wall Street on Friday as a tumultuous week of big swings comes to a close. SENT: 875 words, photos.
DRONES-CHINESE BACKLASH-AI — U.S. national security concerns about the world’s dominant consumer drone-maker, China-based DJI, have upended the market for small drones and opened the door to lesser-known companies pitching applications for government agencies and big businesses. One promising contender: U.S. drone maker Skydio, whose artificial-intelligence lets its drones track objects and move autonomously. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
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TV-DREW BARRYMORE — Drew Barrymore is setting some high standards for herself in joining the world of television talk show hosts on Monday. She wants to emulate David Letterman and Howard Stern as interviewers. SENT: 820 words, photos.
FILM-WONDER WOMAN DELAYED — Following the less-than-stellar theatrical debut of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” Warner Bros. is delaying its next big release, “Wonder Woman 1984,” to Christmas. SENT: 250 words, photos.
FILM-DAVID BYRNE – In a film festival season that’s been turned largely virtual, Spike Lee’s “American Utopia,” a documentary of David Byrne’s concert musical, has still supplied the giddy rush of live performance for a packed house. In an interview, Byrne talks about turning his staged show into a film. UPCOMING: 800 words by 6 p.m., photos.
NY FASHION WEEK-PREVIEW — With no celebs in the front row, no paparazzi chasing models down the streets, no stiletto-heeled crowds and virtually no live shows at all, is there even a point to doing Fashion Week in 2020? Well, yes, say organizers: It’s about business. And jobs. And survival. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos.
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BKN-CELTICS-RAPTORS — Game 7 between Toronto and Boston is on tap, with the winner headed to the Eastern Conference finals to take on Miami. Game begins 9 p.m. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.
TEN-US OPEN — Dominic Thiem faces Daniil Medvedev, and Alexander Zverev plays Pablo Carreno Busta in the U.S. Open men’s semifinals Friday. None of the last four has won a Grand Slam title. First semifinal starts after 4 p.m, second to follow. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.
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