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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NEW/DEVELOPING
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THAILAND-MALL SHOOTING — Thai mall reopens after honoring victims of mass shooting. SENT: 280 words, photos.
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ONLY ON AP
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SOUTH SUDAN-OIL POLLUTION — South Sudan’s oil regions are pocked by open waste pits and water and soil contaminated with chemicals and heavy metals. That’s according to four environmental reports commissioned by the government and the oil companies that operate there. The reports, which were obtained by the AP but have never been released publicly, also contain accounts by local residents of unexplained illnesses, miscarriages and severe birth defects. The toxins found in water and soil include mercury, arsenic and manganese, the reports show. By Sam Mednick. SENT: 3,640 words, photos, video. Abridged version available. With SOUTH SUDAN-OIL POLLUTION-GETTING THE STORY — Getting the story of South Sudan's oil pollution.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-FUNDRAISING — Pro-Trump groups raised more than $60 million in January and have more than $200 million on hand for this year's general election, shattering fundraising records on the path toward a goal of raising $1 billion this cycle. By Zeke Miller. SENT: 300 words, photos.
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CHINA-OUTBREAK — China reports 254 new deaths and a spike in virus cases of 15,152, after the hardest-hit province of Hubei applies a new classification system that broadens the scope of diagnoses for the outbreak, which has spread to more than 20 countries. By Yanan Wang. SENT: 840 words, photos. With CHINA-OUTBREAK-THE LATEST. Also see MORE ON CHINA-OUTBREAK below.
ELECTION 2020-SUPER TUESDAY — Nevada votes next, then South Carolina, but Democrats vying for their party’s presidential nomination are already looking ahead to the biggest prize on the primary calendar: “Super Tuesday,” March 3, when more than a dozen states go to the polls. By Will Weissert. SENT: 900 words, photos. Also see ELECTION 2020 below.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
SUDAN — Sudan's transitional government says it has reached a settlement with families of the victims of the 2000 attack on USS Cole in Yemen, in a bid to have the African country taken off the U.S. terrorism list and improve relations with the West. By Noha Elhennawy. SENT: 830 words, photos.
TRUMP-WAR POWERS-CONGRESS — A bipartisan measure limiting President Donald Trump's authority to launch military operations against Iran is moving toward approval in the Senate. By Matthew Daly. SENT: 690 words, photos. UPCOMING: 800 words after vote, time uncertain.
COLOMBIA-BUFFETT'S DRUG WAR — The eldest son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett is spending $200 million to help Colombia kick its cocaine curse. By Joshua Goodman. SENT: 1,630 words, photos.
CLERGY-ABUSE-NEW-ORLEANS-SAINTS — New Orleans news outlets are set to argue for an open hearing on the confidentiality of emails between Roman Catholic officials and the city's NFL franchise concerning clergy sex-abuse scandals. By Kevin McGill. SENT: 350 words, photos. Also see CHURCH ABUSE LAWSUIT-PHOENIX below.
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MORE ON CHINA-OUTBREAK
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CHINA OUTBREAK-JAPAN VIRUS SHIP — Daily life on the cruise ship quarantined off a Japanese port can include fear, excitement and soul-crushing boredom. SENT: 1,480 words, photos. With JAPAN-CHINA-OUTBREAK — Japan has 44 more cases of COVID-19 on quarantined ship; JAPAN-CHINA-OUTBREAK-DEATH — Japan reports first death from new virus.
CAMBODIA-OUTBREAK-CRUISE SHIP — A cruise ship which had been stranded at sea for about two weeks after being refused entry by four Asian governments because of virus fears finally docks in Cambodia. SENT: 790 words, photos, graphic.
CHINA-OUTBREAK-HONG KONG — China replaces the head of its Cabinet office responsible for Hong Kong following months of anti-government protests in the territory and rising tensions over the outbreak of the viral COVID-19 respiratory illness. SENT: 310 words, photo.
CHINA OUTBREAK-EUROPE — European Union health ministers are holding an emergency meeting on how to prevent the COVID-19 virus from further spreading across Europe. SENT: 290 words, photo. With CHINA-OUTBREAK-ECONOMY — France warns of dent to world economy from virus outbreak.
TOKYO-VIRUS — Tokyo Olympic organizers reiterate their message at the start of two days of meetings with the International Olympic Committee: The 2020 Games will not be waylaid by the virus that is spreading from neighboring China. By Sports Writer Stephen Wade. SENT: 500 words, photo.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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ROENICK OUT — NHL analyst Jeremy Roenick won't return to NBC Sports after suspension. SENT: 310 words, photo.
BRITAIN-BARCLAYS-EPSTEIN — U.K. regulators probe Barclays CEO's link to Jeffrey Epstein. SENT: 420 words, photos.
JAPAN-EARTHQUAKE — Powerful quake hits off northern Japan; no tsunami danger. SENT: 140 words.
PROSECUTOR-BRIBERY — Former Florida prosecutor accused of offering help for sex. SENT: 200 words.
MURDER CONVICTION-MAN FREED — Man accused of double murder freed after 25 years in prison. SENT: 280 words.
CANNONBALL-WOODEN BUOY — Police: Reported Civil War cannonball was actually a buoy. SENT: 140 words.
UNITED-NATIONS-CHILDREN-IN-CONFLICT — U.N. chief: 250 million children in conflict-affected nations. SENT: 630 words.
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POMPEO-PIVOTAL TRIP — With tensions between the United States and Europe running high over numerous issues, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are heading to Germany for an annual security forum. By Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee. SENT: 1,050 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020 — Democratic presidential candidates are plotting their paths forward into a primary expanding to include voters of color, while the party's establishment braces for a long and uncertain nomination fight. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video. With ELECTION 2020-SANDERS-JITTERY DEMOCRATS — Some Democrats fear fallout from Sanders atop the ticket; ELECTION 2020-COALITIONS — Democrats still seeking candidate to unite them.
TRUMP-EMBOLDENED — In the week since his acquittal on impeachment charges, a fully emboldened Trump is demonstrating his determination to assert an iron grip on government. SENT: 1,320 words, photos.
OUSTED DIPLOMAT-AWARD — The career U.S. diplomat who was ousted from her post in Ukraine by Trump, then criticized by him as she testified at his impeachment hearings, urges college students to follow in her footsteps because the U.S. “needs diplomats that are ready and capable.” SENT: 700 words, photos, video.
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BRITAIN-POLITICS — U.K. Treasury chief Sajid Javid resigns, a shocking development on the day that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is shaking up his Conservative government. SENT: 430 words, photos.
VENEZUELA-GUAIDÓ UNCLE — An ally of President Nicolás Maduro says that officials have detained a close relative of opposition leader Juan Guaidó, accusing the uncle of trying to smuggle “dangerous materials” into Venezuela. SENT: 330 words, photo.
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NATIONAL
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SEXUAL-MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN — Closing arguments at the Harvey Weinsten rape trial are set to begin, with the jury hearing first from a Chicago attorney who’s taken #MeToo movement heat for representing the disgraced Hollywood mogul and making provocative mid-trial comments about his case outside of court. SENT: 560 words, photos.
CHURCH ABUSE LAWSUIT-PHOENIX — Two children were sexually abused by Catholic priests about 40 years ago in an Arizona parish and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix covered up the problem, according to newly filed lawsuits. SENT: 490 words, photos.
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FEDERAL-RESERVE-SHELTON — One of Trump's nominees for the Federal Reserve will likely face skeptical questioning from a Senate committee over her unconventional economic views. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 900 words, photos.
401K RECORD BALANCES — Fidelity Investments says the average 401(k) balance rose to a record $112,300 last year, spurred by surging markets as stocks and bonds of all types rallied. By Business Writer Stan Choe. SENT: 530 words, photo.
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SNOOP-DOGG-GAYLE-KING — After days of blistering criticism, Snoop Dogg finally apologizes to Gayle King for attacking her over her interview with former basketball star Lisa Leslie about the late Kobe Bryant. By Entertainment Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody. SENT: 560 words, photos.
FILM-REVIEW-SONIC-THE-HEDGEHOG — “Sonic the Hedgehog” hits screens this weekend after being retooled to make the computer-made blue critter at its heart a lot cuter. By Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy. SENT: 810 words, photos.
NY FASHION WEEK-MARC JACOBS — Designer Marc Jacobs does it again: Ups his game, when it came to closing out New York Fashion Week with a jolt of creative energy, vision and panache. SENT: 570 words, photos.
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ON FOOTBALL-LOYALTY — College football needs to place a moratorium on the use of the words loyalty and commitment. An AP Analysis. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 970 words, photos.
ALL-STAR-BETTING — While some basketball purists are skeptical about this year's new format for the NBA All-Star Game, the changes have curiosity brewing within the betting industry. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. SENT: 980 words, photo.
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