AP News Digest 2:15 p.m.
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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VENEZUELA-GOLD INGOTS — Court records in Liechtenstein obtained by The Associated Press show that Claudia Díaz, who she once served as a nurse for former Venezuela president Hugo Chávez, is accused of transferring millions of dollar out of the socialist country by purchasing gold bars. The transactions are now at the center of an international criminal investigation into the network of shell companies and dodgy Swiss bankers that have turned Venezuela into one of the world’s most corrupt countries. By Joshua Goodman. SENT: 1,880 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,010 words is available.
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ELECTION 2020-VP-GENDER POLITICS — Democrats’ debate over picking Joe Biden’s running mate has been rife with stereotypes about women in politics — evidence, for some, of why Biden must choose a woman and should do it quickly. By Sara Burnett and Alexandra Jaffe. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 5 p.m., photos. With ELECTION 2020-VP-VETTING COMMITTEE — A chunky text look at who is vetting Biden’s VP contenders. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 5 p.m.
AMERICA DISRUPTED-BLACK WOMEN-RISING POWER -- Black women have long been the Democratic Party’s most reliable and loyal voters, but for generations that allegiance didn’t translate to their own political rise. But now Black women are mobilized and demanding an overdue return on their investment. By Claire Galofaro and Kat Stafford. SENT: 2,870 words, photos, graphics. An abridged version of 1,000 words is also available. This is the Tuesday Spotlight. With AMERICA DISRUPTED-BLACK WOMEN-POLLS -- Black female Democrats differ from the rest of the party in their ideology, their issue priorities and their views on some of the key issues, polling says. By Emily Swanson. SENT: 960 words, photos.
TRUMP-TAXES — Lawyers for a Manhattan prosecutor trying to get President Donald Trump’s tax returns told a judge Monday that it was justified in demanding them because of public reports of “extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization.” By Larry Neumeister. SENT: 460 words. UPCOMING: Developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — Parents in some states are getting their first look at a new school year as the coronavirus continues to cause upheaval in school systems around the country. Parents in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee are among those who will be the first to navigate the new academic year as schools open up in parts of those states this week. By Jeff Amy and Denise LaVoie. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. WITH VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (sent)
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPAIN’S RELAPSE — Spaniards thought the worst of the pandemic was behind them but they are being surprised by a new wave of infections. Outbreaks among farm workers and young people desperate to resume socializing after being cooped up have spread across northern Spain. That has spawned what some health officials fear could be the start of a dreaded “second wave” of infections. By Renata Brito and Joseph Wilson. SENT: 940 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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RACIAL INJUSTICE-KAEPERNICK VIDEO — The U.S. Navy is investigating a video in which military work dogs attacked a “Colin Kaepernick stand-in” during a demonstration at a museum fundraiser. SENT: 270 words, photo.
CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES - Thousands remain evacuated from Southern California wildfire. SENT: 320 words, photos.
GERMANY-BENEDICT XVI — Report: Retired Pope Benedict XVI ill after visit to Germany. SENT: 260 words, photo.
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-MISSISSIPPI-FLAG — Public ideas for new Mississippi flag: Magnolias, stars, beer. SENT: 470 words, photos.
FRANCE-NOTRE DAME — Notre Dame Cathedral’s organ getting 4-year-long cleaning. SENT:400 words, photos.
BRITAIN-OBIT-JOHN-HUME — John Hume, who worked to end N. Ireland violence, dies at 83. SENT: 940 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NORWAY-CRUISE-SHIP — A Norwegian cruise ship line halted all trips and apologized for procedural errors after a coronavirus outbreak on one ship infected at least five passengers and 36 crew. Health authorities fear the ship also could have spread the virus to dozens of towns and villages along Norway’s western coast. SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-PERU-LAYWORKER — Wearing a white robe and shoes worn down by dust, Ronald Marín is one of the few who administers funerals in a cemetery far from the center of Peru’s capital. In a time when authorities here calculate that more than a quarter Lima’s population could be infected, Marín is one of the few Catholic Church representatives who remain in cemeteries next to the mourners. SENT: 580 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PHILIPPINES — The Philippine president has agreed to place the capital and outlying provinces back under a lockdown after medical groups warned that the country was waging “a losing battle” against the coronavirus amid an alarming surge in infections. SENT: 610 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-LACROSSE HUNGER — Two teenage lacrosse players in California have been coaching kids and other teens in exchange for donations to a local food organization. Zach Appel and Owen Estee launched “Lacrosse Against Hunger” after coronavirus restrictions forced the cancellation of sports at their high school. The 15-year-olds have raised $2,000 — or the equivalent of 2,000 meals — for White Pony Express, a food and rescue recovery group that has seen a greater need for donations during the pandemic. SENT: 400 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Talks on a massive COVID-19 relief bill grind on slowly in hopes of a spark that could provide a breakthrough. Republicans gripe that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t dropped her wish-list even as concerns mount that the White House needs to be more sure-footed in the negotiations. By Andrew Taylor. SENT: 550 words, photos. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m.
PENTAGON NOMINEE — Democratic leaders of Congressional defense committees are condemning President Donald Trump’s appointment of a former general and staunch loyalist to a senior Pentagon post just days after it became clear that getting his nomination confirmed by the Senate would be difficult if not doomed. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 520 words, photos.
TRUMP-TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY — President Donald Trump says he has fired the chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority claiming it has betrayed American workers. By Deb Reichmann. SENT: 300 words, photos. UPCOMING: 450 words by 5 p.m.
CONGRESS-INSPECTORS GENERAL — House Democrats have subpoenaed four top aides to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, saying that the Trump administration is stonewalling their investigation into the firing of the State Department’s top independent watchdog earlier this year. By Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 455 words, photos.
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AFGHANISTAN — Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group stormed a prison in eastern Afghanistan in a daylong siege that left at least 39 people dead, including the assailants, and freed nearly 400 of their fighters before security forces restored order, a government official says. SENT: 830 words, photos.
SPAIN-FORMER KING — Spain’s former monarch, Juan Carlos I, says he is leaving Spain to live in another, unspecified, country amid a financial scandal, according to a letter published on the royal family’s website. SENT: 520 words, photos.
LEBANON FAILED STATE ANALYSIS — Power cuts that can last up to 20 hours a day. Mountains of trash spilling onto streets. Long lines at gas stations. The multiple crises may seem like a standard summer in Lebanon. Only this time they come on top of financial collapse, hyperinflation and unprecedented levels of poverty and unemployment. Add to that a raging pandemic and the tiny country is reaching a tipping point. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
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TROPICAL-WEATHER — Isaias was forecast to return to hurricane strength before making landfall in the Carolinas, where coastal residents were warned to brace for flooding rains and storm surge. SENT: 770 words, photos, video.
CONFEDERATE-MONUMENTS-RICHMOND — A judge dismissed a legal challenge preventing Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration from removing an enormous statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, but immediately imposed another injunction in a different lawsuit. SENT: 480 words, photos.
MISSING KIDS-IDAHO — Prosecutors plan to begin sketching out their evidence against a couple at the center of a bizarre case of two missing children whose bodies were later unearthed in rural Idaho, offering potential new details in an investigation with ties to doomsday beliefs and other mysterious deaths that captivated worldwide attention.. SENT: 650 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing.
OHIO SHOOTING-1 YEAR — Tormented by mind-scarring memories and questions without answers, Dion Green has dedicated his life after the death of his father and eight other people in a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, to memorializing them and trying to bring helpful change. SENT: 840 words, photos.
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RETAIL-BANKRUPTCIES — Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest retailer, is seeking bankruptcy protection, as is the owner of Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank, lengthening the list of major retail chains that have faltered in the pandemic. SENT: 330 words, photos.
BRITAIN EARNS-HSBC — Europe’s biggest bank, HSBC, said that its net profit plummeted 96% in the second quarter of this year as lower interest rates combined with the downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic took hold.. SENT: 360 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Wall Street is starting August with more gains, and stocks are climbing following encouraging reports from around the world on the economy. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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ON BASKETBALL-BUBBLE START — So far, so good. The NBA’s bubble remains intact. The extraordinary health protocols put into place to try and save this season seem to be working. The mission shared by coaches and players to use their platform and continue the conversation about racial injustice is off to a strong start. Close games were a constant in the first four days, the stats are eye-catching and some are arguing that the game is only going to get better from here. SENT: 890 words, photos.
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