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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TOP STORIES
Algerians flash the V sign during a demonstration to protest against the government, in Algiers Friday, Jan.3, 2020. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
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IRAQ-AIRPORT ATTACK — Iran vowed “harsh retaliation” for a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran. By Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Zeina Karam. SENT: 1,675 words, photos, video.
UNITED STATES-IRAN — The United States says it is sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast in the volatile aftermath of the killing of an Iranian general in a strike ordered by President Donald Trump. The reinforcements took shape as Trump gave his first comments on the strike, saying he ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani because he was “plotting to kill” many Americans. By National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 600 words, photos, developing.
In this Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 photo, a skateboarder cruises around Prospect Lake in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colo., as the sun shines through a thin layer of clouds. (Christian MurdockThe Gazette via AP)
UNITED STATES-IRAN-SOLEIMANI — To past U.S. administrations, Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was less of a risk alive and plotting than he was dead and martyred. Military and national security officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations describe the reasons they passed on the opportunity President Donald Trump seized: authorizing a strike that killed Soleimani. By Zeke Miller and Julie Pace. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photos.
UNITED STATES-IRAN-LEGAL QUESTIONS — Did President Donald Trump have the legal authority to order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq? The short answer: Probably. But it depends on facts that aren’t publicly known yet. And legal experts are quick to point out that even if it was legal that doesn’t make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in the long run. By Ben Fox. SENT: 700 words, photos.
TRUMP-EVANGELICALS — In his first campaign move of the 2020 election year, President Trump is visiting a mega-church in Miami to highlight his support among evangelicals as he aims to shore up and expand support from an influential piece of his political base. By Jonathan Lemire and Elana Schor. SENT: 980 words, photos. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 6 p.m. Developing from 5 p.m. event.
Tawanna Gaines, center, a former Maryland delegate, is swarmed by reporters while leaving the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md., after her sentencing hearing, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Gaines was sentenced to six months in prison followed by two months of home detention for misusing campaign funds for her personal benefit. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang also on Friday ordered Gaines to pay $22,565 in restitution. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez)
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES-HOUSING — For parents of kids with disabilities, the inevitable question of where to place the children when their caretakers are no longer around can be scary and overwhelming. But some are literally breaking new ground in finding an answer. Parents in Arizona, Wisconsin, Maryland and other states have launched housing developments for adults with disabilities in recent years. SENT: 1,175 words, photos.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Indians participate in a protest against a new citizenship law that opponents say threatens India's secular identity in Bangalore, India, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The new citizenship law and a proposed National Register of Citizens have brought thousands of protesters out in the streets in many cities and towns since Parliament approved the measure on Dec. 11, leaving at least 23 dead in clashes between security forces and the protesters. (AP PhotoAijaz Rahi)
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RAPPER-ARRESTED — Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby arrested on a battery charge in Miami after arguing with a music promoter over payment for a performance, police say. SENT: 500 words, photo.
HELPING DISTANT OFFICERS — A six-member police force on an island in the Bering Sea soon will be equipped with stun guns, vests and other police equipment, thanks to the efforts of a fellow officer more than 3,400 miles away in Iowa. SENT: 450 words.
BRITAIN-WEIRDOS WANTED — Britain is looking for a few good weirdos. That's the word from one of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top advisers, who in a lengthy blog post appealed for a wide range of applicants for government positions. SENT: 270 words.
PSYCHIC-DEMON POSSESSION — A psychic stole more than $70,000 from a client by telling the woman her 10-year-old daughter was possessed by a demon and she needed the money to banish the spirit, police in Massachusetts said. SENT: 175 words.
PREGNANT WOMAN SHOT-ARREST — A Tennessee teenager was arrested in connection to a shooting that killed a pregnant woman and her fetus, paralyzed her 8-year-old daughter and wounded another adult family member, authorities said. SENT: 180 words.
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MORE ON IRAQ AIRPORT ATTACK
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IRAN-QASSEM SOLEIMANI — For Iranians, Qassem Soleimani widely represented the most prominent figure outside its Shiite theocracy of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure. SENT: 1100 words, photos.
SOLEIMANI-KILLING-WORLD REACTION — Global powers are warning that the world has just become a more dangerous place after the U.S. killed Iran’s top general. SENT: 950 words, photos, developing.
AP EXPLAINS-IRAN-US — The U.S. airstrike that killed a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad raises tensions even higher between Tehran and Washington, after months of trading attacks and threats across the wider Middle East. SENT: 1,025 words, photos.
MIDEAST-MAJOR KILLINGS — Killings of major political and military figures have been a recurring factor in the modern Middle East, often presenting a defining moment and changing the contours of history in several instances. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
IRAN-REGIONAL ALLIES — If Iran decides to follow through on its vow of harsh retaliation for the killing of its top general in a U.S. airstrike near the Baghdad airport, it can call upon heavily armed allies across the Mideast. SENT: 950 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-IRAN-CYBERTHREAT — Cybersecurity experts say there’s a high likelihood of cyberattacks being a part of Iran’s retaliation for the U.S. killing of its top general. And while they say the U.S. electric grid and other critical infrastructure would be difficult to cripple there are plenty of opportunities for causing major disruption. UPCOMING: 500 words by 2:30 p.m.
UNITED STATES-IRAN-TRUMP'S POLICY — President Trump has repeatedly complained about American involvement in “endless war” and promised to bring U.S. troops home after a generation of conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. But when it comes to Iran, Trump has consistently ratcheted tensions and courted confrontation, calling out Tehran as the most significant state sponsor of terrorism and as an existential threat to U.S. interests in the Middle East. UPCOMING: 900 words by 5 p.m., photos.
ELECTION 2020-DEMOCRATS-IRAN — A look at how the strike elevates foreign policy in the race and for Democrats, brings back echoes of their debates over Iraq. SENT: 370 words, photos.; 900 words by 6 p.m.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-MUELLER — Even before the formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s actions involving Ukraine, House Democrats had sought the secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. A federal judge in October ordered the materials handed over, the Trump administration appealed and on Friday a three-judge panel hears arguments in a case that may eventually reach the Supreme Court. By Eric Tucker. UPCOMING: 600 words by 2:30 p.m.
TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-McGAHN SUBPOENA — Federal appellate judges are wrestling with whether courts should be refereeing a dispute between the House of Representatives and the Trump administration over the testimony of former White House counsel Don McGahn, even in the face of what one judge called the White House's “broad-scale defiance of congressional investigation.” SENT: 450 words, photo. UPCOMING: 600 words by 2:30 p.m.
TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT — As Congress reconvenes, Senate leaders prepare their opening salvos in the fight over how to conduct President Trump’s impeachment trial. SENT: 400 words, photos. SENT: 570 words, photos.
TRUMP-GIULIANI ASSOCIATE — A federal judge says an associate of Rudy Giuliani facing campaign finance charges may turn over documents to Congress as part of the impeachment proceeding against President Donald Trump. SENT: 240 words.
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INTERNATIONAL
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CARLOS GHOSN-WHAT WE KNOW — Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn fled Japan while awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges. He escaped to Beirut, where he grew up and is considered a national hero by many. Here's a look at the unfolding case of the fallen auto industry superstar. SENT: 1,130 words, photos. WITH: CARLOS GHOSN — A Turkish airline company says its jets were used illegally in Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan. SENT: 745 words, photos.
AUSTRALIA-WILDFIRES — Wildfires raging across Australia have prompted one of the largest evacuations in the country's history as what is already the worst season on record is likely to become even more devastating due to hot weather and strong winds. SENT: 900 words, photos, video.
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NATIONAL
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AUSTIN-STABBINGS — A man stabbed two people, one fatally, inside a restaurant during a violent string of attacks at a shopping plaza in Texas' capital city that began with an assault at a coffee shop and ended with the suspect leaping off a roof, police said. SENT: 400 words, photos.
LAWMAKER-RESIGNS — A former Maryland state lawmaker was sentenced to six months in prison followed by two months of home detention for misusing campaign funds for her personal benefit. Tawanna Gaines, a Democrat who had served in the Maryland House of Delegates since 2001, also must pay $22,565 in restitution. SENT: 650 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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TV-JEOPARDY GREATS - The three biggest money winners in the history of “Jeopardy” - Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer - will compete in a series of prime-time matches starting Jan. 7 for a top $1 million prize. By AP Television Writer Lynn Elber. SENT 850 words, photos
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BUSINESS
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FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks fell broadly on Wall Street and oil prices surged after U.S. forces in Iraq killed a top Iranian general. SENT: 550 words, photo, developing.
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SPORTS
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FBN--ALL-PRO TEAM — Christian McCaffrey's versatility and superb stats help him to a rare double: The Carolina Panthers star makes the AP NFL All-Pro Team at running back and flex player. Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Saints receiver Michael Thomas are unanimous choices. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 700 words, photos. With FBN-AP ALL PRO-LIST (sent).
BKN--STERN-SMALL MARKETS — David Stern shrugged off cries of conspiracy after the Knicks won the 1985 draft lottery, sending Patrick Ewing to New York. Stern knew he wouldn't do anything illegal to help the Knicks, or any of the big boys. He did far more for the little guys. By Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney. SENT: 800 words, photos.
FBN--SEAHAWKS-PETE'S DECADE — Pete Carroll has coached the Seahawks for a decade. That’s hard for him to accept. Carroll had never been at any coaching job that long. On Sunday he makes his eighth postseason appearance in his 10 seasons in Seattle. By Tim Booth. SENT: 900 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Courtney Dittmar (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Phil Holm (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.