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.
TOP STORIES
IRAN VIRUS OUTBREAK —An Iranian lawmaker from the city of Qom says a staggering 50 people have died there from the new coronavirus this month, even as the Health Ministry insisted only 12 deaths have been recorded to date. The official from Qom said more than 250 are in quarantine in the city, which is a popular place of religious study for Shiites from across Iran and other countries. By Aya Batrawy. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
FILE - In this March 26, 2019, file photo, actor Jussie Smollett talks to the media before leaving Cook County Court in Chicago. Smollett is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Chicago since a special prosecutor announced that he'd been indicted for a second time on charges that he lied when he told police he was a victim of a racist and anti-gay attack. (AP PhotoPaul Beaty, File)
VIRUS-OUTBREAK — South Korea reported another large jump in new virus cases a day after the the president called for “unprecedented, powerful” steps to combat the outbreak that is increasingly confounding attempts to stop the spread. The 161 new cases bring South Korea's total to 763 cases, and two more deaths raise its toll to seven. China also reported 409 new cases, raising the mainland's total to 77,150 after a zigzag pattern of increases in recent days. By Kim Tong-Hyung. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. WITH VIRUS OUTBREAK-AT A GLANCE (SENT.)
ELECTION 2020-SANDERS – In running for president again, Sen. Bernie Sanders was convinced his most fervent supporters were as energized as ever, ready to rally around the political insurgency flag he planted in 2016. This time the Sanders movement has a political machine to propel it. By Will Weissert. SENT: 1,545 words, photos. WITH ELECTION 2020-WATCH - residential politics move fast. What we're watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign: SENT: 860 words, photos. ELECTION 2020-SANDERS-CHILD CARE - Bernie Sanders has joined fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren in proposing that a “wealth tax” can fiance government-funded child care from infancy through age 3 for every American family, then provide universal pre-kindergarten programs after that. SENT: 180 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign event on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (Nick WagnerAustin American-Statesman via AP)
TRUMP — Kicking off a whirlwind 36-hour visit to India that emphasizes pageantry over policy, President Donald Trump received a warm welcome Monday on the subcontinent — including a mega-rally named after the traditional Indian greeting — meant to reaffirm ties between the two nations while providing enviable overseas imagery for a president in a re-election year. By Jill Colvin and Jonathan Lemire. 1,220 words, photos,video. DEVELOPING; WITH TRUMP-NEW DELHI PROTESTS - As President Donald Trump was being feted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the west Indian city of Ahmedabad on Monday, Hindu nationalist and communist groups held pro and anti-U.S. street demonstrations in the capital. SENT: 430 words, photos.
BRITAIN-ASSANGE — Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are gathering outside a high-security London courthouse, where a judge is set to begin hearing a U.S. extradition case against him. The courtroom showdown starting Monday comes a decade after WikiLeaks infuriated American authorities by publishing a trove of classified military documents. SENT: 620 words, photos.
ISRAEL-SETTLER SUPPORT — Just ahead of national elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s longtime alliance with the influential West Bank settler movement is suddenly at risk because of President Donald Trump’s Mideast plan. Settlers initially hailed the plan’s vision of allowing Israel to annex its scores of settlements but the euphoria has given way to disappointment over Netanyahu’s reluctance to follow through with annexation immediately, potentially stripping him of key votes and denying him a hoped-for surge in the polls. By Tia Goldenberg. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video. WITH ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS —- Gaza militants have resumed their intense bombardment of southern Israel, with some rockets slipping through Israel's vaunted Iron Dome defense system and one landing in the yard of a kindergarten. There was no word of casualties from Monday's fire, but it's a second day of violence that threatens to unleash a new round of hostilities just a week before Israel heads to elections. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Gaza's Hamas rulers with a “war” if the new round of rocket fire continued, ramping up his rhetoric amid the stretch drive of his campaign. SENT 360 words, photos.
NORTHERN TRIANGLE ASYLUM — The United States government is preparing to expand a program that sends asylum seekers to Guatemala before they can formally ask to stay in the U.S. The program that began in November has been called “deportation with a layover” because many migrants give up and return to the countries they fled rather than wait to be processed by Guatemalan authorities. The U.S. plans to begin transfers to Honduras and El Salvador too. Hundreds of asylum-seekers have arrived in Guatemala since November. International law does not allow the U.S. to deport them directly back to their home country. By Sonia Perez D. and Christopher Sherman. UPCOMING words, photos. This is the Tuesday spotlight.
MORE ON VIRUS-OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE — Police manned checkpoints around quarantined towns in Italy's north on Monday as authorities sought to contain cases of COVID-19 virus that have made Italy the focal point of the outbreak in Europe and fears of its cross-border spread. At least 190 people in Italy’s north have tested positive for the virus and four people have died, including an 84-year-old man who died overnight in Bergamo, the Lombardy regional government reported. SENT: 920 words, photos.
CHINA-OUTBREAK — China says it is postponing its most important political meetings of the year because of the outbreak of the new virus. The move announced Monday indicates the importance that President Xi Jinping places on the battle against the virus, which has killed more than 2,500 people and sickened more than 77,000 in mainland China. SENT 280 words, photos.
CHINA-VIRUS-OUTBREAK ECONOMY — Regulators have promised tax cuts and other aid to help companies recover from China’s virus outbreak and expressed confidence the ruling Communist Party’s growth targets can be achieved despite anti-disease controls that have shut down much of the economy. At a news conference Monday, finance and planning officials said they are looking at how to channel aid to companies after President Xi Jinping publicly promised over the past week ensure food production and other industries recover quickly. By AP Business Writer By Joe McDonald. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
GERMANY-CARNIVAL — Biting commentary on racism in Germany is featuring prominently among Carnival floats in western cities, hastily put together in the aftermath of a deadly far-right attack last week near Frankfurt. SENT: 310 words, photos.
SPAIN-SANDSTORM — Spanish authorities say that all eight airports on Spain's Canary Islands have reopened and that the worst seems over for the storm that thickened the air with sand and dust from the Sahara desert. SENT: 250 words, photos.
NEPAL-EVEREST — Four experienced Sherpa guides are attempting to climb to the top of Mount Everest in less than a week during the final days of winter to set a new climbing record on the world's highest peak. SENT: 330 words, photos
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WASHINGTON/ POLITICS
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ARMY TRAINERS-AFRICA — The Army, for the first time, will send soldiers from one of its new training brigades to Africa in the coming weeks, expanding the use of the new specialized units as the Pentagon looks at possible troop cuts on the continent. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 970 words, photos.
DEMOCRATS-AFTER IMPEACHMENT — President Donald Trump’s impeachment might not be the political weapon Republicans have hoped to wield. Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin's town hall last week featured none of the booing or rowdy chanting that characterized five of her public events during the impeachment proceedings. By Laurie Kellman. SENT: 980 words, photos.
FACT CHECK-WEEK — In their boisterous presidential debate, several Democrats sold short the health care plans of rivals and Mike Bloomberg distorted his position on the “stop and frisk" police strategy when he was New York mayor. In an audacious league of his own, President Donald Trump celebrated the elimination of a tax that still exists. By Calvin Woodward, Hope Yen and Josh Boak. SENT: 2,180 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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MALAYSIA POLITICS — Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad tendered his resignation to Malaysia's king while his political party quit the ruling alliance in a shocking political upheaval less than two years after his election victory. The prime minister's office said Mahathir submitted his resignation to the palace at 1 p.m. but gave no further details. SENT: 630 words, photos.
FRANCE-EX-PRIME-MINISTER-TRIAL — Former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon is going on trial on fraud charges after he used public funds to richly pay his wife and children for work they allegedly never performed. The trial, starting Monday, is scheduled to last until March 11. SENT: 740 words, photos.
SYRIA-ISRAEL — Israel struck multiple targets near the Syrian capital late Sunday, killing two members of a Palestinian militant faction and triggering anti-aircraft fire from the country's air defenses that shook Damascus. SENT: 430 words.
HAITI VIOLENCE — Off-duty police officers and their supporters exchanged fire for nearly two hours on Sunday with members of the newly reconstituted Haitian army in front of the national palace, in a dangerous escalation of protests over police pay and working conditions. SENT: 600 words.
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NATIONAL
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KOBE BRYANT-MEMORIAL — Thousands of mourners will gather in Staples Center on Monday to say farewell to Kobe and Gianna Bryant. The basketball superstar and his 13-year-old daughter will be honored in a public memorial at the arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe and Gianna Bryant died along with seven others on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash. SENT: 360 words, photos. DEVELOPING. WITH KOBE BRYANT MEMORIAL-VICTIMS — The six passengers traveling with Kobe Bryant and his daughter in the helicopter that crashed into a Southern California mountainside last month were joined by their love of basketball. SENT: 900 words, photos. KOBE BRYANT MEMORIAL-TIMELINE (sent).
JUSSIE SMOLLET — Actor Jussie Smollett is due to make his first court appearance on a new set of charges accusing him of lying to Chicago police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack last year. The former “Empire” actor is expected to plead not guilty to the six felony counts of disorderly conduct during Monday's hearing. SENT: 490 words, photo.
SUPREME COURT-ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE — The U.S. Supreme Court is set to wade into a long-running battle between developers of a 605-mile natural gas pipeline and environmental groups who oppose the project. On Monday, the high court will hear arguments on a critical permit needed by developers of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. SENT: 420 words, photos.
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BUSINESS
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US-NABE-SURVEY-OF-ECONOMISTS — Nearly two-thirds of business economists say that the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy is “about right,” a sharp contrast to President Donald Trump's criticism of the Fed. A survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that just 4% of economists consider the Fed's interest rate policies to be “too restrictive,” meaning they believe the central bank's benchmark rate should be lower. By AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 260 words.
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SCIENCE
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MICROPLASTICS RISK — Most people are familiar with the growing crisis caused by plastic bags, water bottles and other large plastic debris contaminating oceans worldwide. But another type of plastic is causing alarm among researchers and conservationists. Scientists say “microplastics” are turning up everywhere in oceans, from the water itself to the guts of fish and the poop of sea otters and giant killer whales. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 890 words, photo.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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FILM-BOX OFFICE — “Sonic: The Hedgehog” zoomed to the top of the box office with a take of $26.3 million in its second weekend while audiences also heard “The Call of the Wild” as the Harrison Ford CGI dog flick finished a close second with $24.8 million. SENT 610 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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OILERS-KINGS — Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in his return after missing six games because of a quad injury and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. Leon Draisaitl scored on the power play, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a goal and Edmonton moved ahead of idle Vancouver into second place in the Pacific Division. SENT: 770 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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