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 .
-----------------------
NEW/DEVELOPING
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif. meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 18, 2019. (AP PhotoAndrew Harnik)
-----------------------
STOLEN SECRET DOCUMENTS _ Ex-NSA contractor to be sentenced in stolen documents case. SENT: 140 words, photo. UPCOMING: Hearing at 11 a.m.
-----------------
TOP STORIES
-----------------
Sam Jarvis, dressed as detective Pikachu from "Pokemon," appears in the audience after asking a question at the "His Dark Materials" panel on day one of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 18, 2019, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)
UNITED STATES-IRAN _ President Donald Trump says a U.S. warship destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after it threatened the ship. The incident marks a new escalation of tensions less than one month after Iran downed an American drone in the same waterway and Trump came close to retaliating with a military strike. By Darlene Superville and Robert Burns. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video. With PERSIAN-GULF-TENSIONS _ Iran denies U.S. destroyed an Iranian drone near Persian Gulf.
ELECTION 2020-DEMOCRATS _ Democrats are united in their condemnation of Trump's exploitation of race as a campaign anthem. They are far less united in the best way to counter it. By Steve Peoples, Errin Haines Whack and Kathleen Ronayne. SENT: 1,230 words, photos. With TRUMP-DEMOCRATS _ Trump disavows “send her back” cry, Rep. Omar stands defiant. Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
JAPAN-KYOTO ANIMATION _ Kyoto Animation may not be a giant of Japanese anime, but it has core fans and is known for skilled animators and such hits as "Lucky Star," "K-On!" and the "Haruhi Suzumiya" series. The company hit by a suspected arson that killed 33 people and injured 36 also has a unique history. Its founder recruited housewives in the beginning and based the studio outside Tokyo, the center of the animation industry. By Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 670 words, photos, video.
SKOREA-SELF-IMMOLATION _ A 78-year-old South Korean man dies hours after setting himself ablaze near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, police say, at a time of worsening tensions between Seoul and Tokyo. By Hyung-Jin Kim. SENT: 330 words, photos. With SKOREA-SELF-IMMOLATION-THE LATEST; JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA _ Japan summons South Korean envoy to protest wartime labor dispute.
LEBANON-SLIDING ECONOMY _ Lebanese say they have little faith that their political elite, viewed as corrupt and steeped in personal rivalries, can tackle the country's economic crisis. For three days this week, lawmakers on live TV have had heated debate over a long-delayed austerity budget that will hike taxes and cut public sector wages and benefits. Critics say it focuses on tapping Lebanese pockets to lower the deficit while doing little to deal with the deep structural issues undermining the economy. By Sarah El Deeb. SENT: 1,110 words, photos.
BANNED WORDS-BERKELEY _ Leaders in Berkeley, California, vote unanimously to replace about 40 gender-specific words in the city code with gender-neutral terms. That means there will be no manholes come this fall. City workers will drop into "maintenance holes" instead. Nothing will be manmade in the liberal city but "human-made." The effort to be more inclusive passed this week and is drawing both praise and scorn. By Olga R. Rodriguez and Samantha Maldonado. SENT: 700 words, photos.
--------------------------------------
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
--------------------------------------
KID-ICE COLD BEER SIGN _ Utah boy advertises “Ice Cold Beer” at root beer stand. SENT: 280 words, photo.
SAINTS-RAMS-PLAYOFF LAWSUITS _ State court suit over “no-call” in playoff game can proceed against NFL. SENT: 470 words, photo.
DEL MAR-HORSES KILLED _ Two horses killed at California’s Del Mar race track in collision during training. SENT: 230 words.
MOTEL 6-IMMIGRATION _ Judge weighs new Motel 6 settlement in immigration lawsuit. SENT: 140 words.
----------------------
INTERNATIONAL
----------------------
HONG KONG PROTESTER TACTICS _ Hong Kong’s young activists have fine-tuned their strategies since Occupy Central in 2014, a months-long pro-democracy demonstration that ended without tangible victories. UPCOMING: 640 words by 4 a.m., photos.
GERMANY-RESISTANCE ANNIVERSARY _ Germany is marking the 75th anniversary of the most famous plot to kill Adolf Hitler, honoring those who resisted the Nazis _ who were stigmatized for decades as traitors _ as pillars of the country's modern democracy amid growing concerns about the resurgence of the far-right. SENT: 810 words, photos.
AFGHANISTAN _ A powerful bomb explodes outside the gates of Kabul University in the Afghan capital, killing at least six people and wounding 27, officials say. SENT: 410 words, photo.
------------------------------
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
------------------------------
VIRGINIA ELECTIONS-TRUMP EFFECT _ One key question hovers over this year's closely watched Virginia legislative elections: Has the Trump effect that helped Democrats two years ago worn off? SENT: 770 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-DEBATES _ The second set of summer Democratic presidential debates will feature a rematch with a twist, plus the first showdown of leading progressives. SENT: 740 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-DEBATES-CANDIDATES _ Who’s appearing each night.
TRUMP-LABOR SECRETARY _ Trump says he will nominate lawyer Eugene Scalia to be his new labor secretary. Scalia is the son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. SENT: 420 words, photo.
---------------
NATIONAL
---------------
DOORBELL CAMERAS-POLICE _ America's fast-growing web of doorbell cameras is being fueled in part by the support of cities and police departments. SENT: 1,210 words, photos, video.
MISSING CHINESE SCHOLAR _ A former University of Illinois doctoral student is spared the death penalty and sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and killing a 26-year-old scholar from China. SENT: 820 words, photos.
CHICAGO POLICE-LAQUAN MCDONALD _ The Chicago Police Board fires four police officers for allegedly covering up a white officer's 2014 fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald. SENT: 590 words, photo. With CHICAGO-POLICE-LAQUAN-MCDONALD-TIMELINE.
------------
BUSINESS
------------
NEW CORVETTE _ Engine moved from front to middle, changing the look and raising performance of the new Chevy Corvette. By Auto Writer Tom Krisher. SENT: 800 words, photos, video. With NEW CORVETTE-THE LATEST.
----------
SPORTS
----------
BRITISH OPEN _ Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others who got off to a rugged start at the British Open face a daunting task trying to make the cut on a links course with ever-changing conditions and a steady challenge. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. SENT: 140 words, photos. UPCOMING: Will be updated throughout the day.
PACQUIAO PERSEVERES _ Manny Pacquiao is boldly predicting a knockout when he gets in the ring with unbeaten welterweight champion Keith Thurman this weekend. By Sports Writer Greg Beacham. SENT: 700 words, photos.
JAPAN’S FIRST GOLD MEDAL _ Few paid much attention when Mikio Oda won Japan’s first Olympic gold medal _ and Asia’s first individual gold medal _ way back at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. SENT 1,040 words, photos.
LI NA-HALL OF FAME _ Li Na, the first player from Asia to win a Grand Slam singles title, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this weekend. By Sports Writer Brian Mahoney. SENT: 480 words, photos.
---------------------
ENTERTAINMENT
---------------------
COMIC-CON-HIS DARK MATERIALS _ Lin-Manuel Miranda says he agreed to being in the adaptation of "His Dark Materials" before he even knew what part he was being offered. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 390 words, photos.
KENNEDY CENTER HONORS _ Actress Sally Field and the long-running children's TV show "Sesame Street" are in the latest class of Kennedy Center Honors recipients. SENT: 690 words, photos.
------------------------
HOW TO REACH US
------------------------
At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Shuji Kajiyama (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.