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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TOP STORIES
Marine One with President Donald Trump aboard lands at Trump National Golf Club, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Sterling, Va. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)
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VIRUS OUTBREAK — Faulting inaction in Washington, governors and state lawmakers are racing to get pandemic relief to small-business owners, the unemployed, renters and others whose livelihoods have been upended by the widening coronavirus outbreak. By Cedar Attanasio and Julie Carr Smyth. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
IRAN — Iran’s supreme leader demanded the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of a scientist who led Tehran’s disbanded military nuclear program, as the Islamic Republic blamed Israel for a slaying that has raised fears of reignited tensions across the Middle East. By Amir Vahdat and Jon Gambrell. SENT: 790 words, photos.
A crowd of protesters march in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. Pro-democracy demonstrators are continuing their protests calling for the government to step down and reforms to the constitution and the monarchy, despite legal charges being filed against them and the possibility of violence from their opponents or a military crackdown. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)
ETHIOPIA-MILITARY-CONFRONTATION — Ethiopia’s army chief of staff says the military has control of the capital of the defiant Tigray region, Mekele. General Birhanu Jula made the comment on the state broadcaster. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in a separate statement, “We have entered Mekele without innocent civilians being targets.” By Cara Anna. SENT: 700 words, photos.
SUPREME COURT-2020 CENSUS — President Donald Trump’s attempt to exclude people living in the country illegally from the population count used to divvy up congressional seats is headed for a Supreme Court showdown. By Mike Schneider and Mark Sherman. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
SENATE-GEORGIA-PANDEMIC — The Georgia runoffs that will determine control of the Senate are a tale of two pandemics. For Republicans, masks are optional, campaign events are often shoulder-to-shoulder, economic aid packages passed months ago are cause for celebration and there’s little to no mention of more than 260,000 dead Americans. For Democrats, there are drive-in rallies, outdoor events requiring masks, demands for a new round of economic relief and a steady stream of pastors — including one of the candidates — offering prayers for the loved ones of those lost to coronavirus. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 950 words, photos.
Germany's Felix Loch celebrates after winning the men's luge World Cup race in Igls, Austria, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-BLACK-FIREFIGHTERS — A group of Black firefighters in a North Carolina city has filed a grievance citing racism and discrimination they have endured for more than 30 years. Black members of the Winston-Salem Fire Department allege two white captains talked about running over demonstrators protesting the police killing of George Floyd this summer. SENT: 900 words, photos. This is the Sunday Spotlight.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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US-OBIT-TONY-HSIEH — Tony Hsieh, retired CEO of Las Vegas-based online shoe retailer Zappos.com, has died at 46 in Connecticut. A lawyer for Hsieh told news outlets Hsieh had been injured in a house fire. SENT: 380 words, photos.
FRANCE-LAW-PROTESTS — Protests over security bill take place across France. SENT: 600 words, photos.
POLAND-ABORTION-PROTESTS — Poland: Marches oppose abortion restriction, police violence. SENT: 450 words.
ODD-RARE TURTLES-ROUGH RESCUE — Thirty endangered sea turtles rescued from the beaches of Cape Cod are now safe in New Orleans after their Thanksgiving travel plans went awry. SENT: 310 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — The British government has appointed a vaccines minister as it prepares to inoculate millions of people against the coronavirus. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Conservative lawmaker Nadhim Zahawi will oversee the country’s biggest vaccine program in decades. SENT: 560 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-MUDDLED-CHRISTMAS — European nations are struggling to reconcile cold medical advice with a Christmas tradition that calls for big gatherings in often poorly ventilated rooms where people chat, shout and sing together. SENT: 950 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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BIDEN-LGBTQ-RIGHTS — As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama. Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists. SENT: 964 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-ARIZONA-LATINOS— Immigrant-rights and grassroots organizations that have been mobilizing Latinos in Arizona for nearly two decades helped propel Joe Biden to victory in a traditionally conservative state. But there wasn’t a blue shift in most statewide races or in some other parts of the country with large Latino populations, leaving questions about the future of Democratic candidates and how the party can capitalize on these gains in 2022 and 2024. SENT 1,000 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-FACT CHECK — From the get-go, President Donald Trump has miscast or exaggerated the military’s role in his administration’s crash program to accelerate the development, production and eventual distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. SENT: 700 words, photos.
BIDEN-GUANTANAMO — President-elect Joe Biden has said little about the Guantanamo Bay detention center except that he supports closing it. That has brought a degree of hope to some of the 40 men still held there. Lawyers for some of the prisoners say they hope the Biden administration will resume Obama-era efforts to close the detention center. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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VATICAN-NEW CARDINALS — Pope Francis formally elevates 13 new cardinals in a ceremony marked in every way by the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the cardinals stayed home, the rest eschewed the usual celebrations and St. Peter’s Basilica was practically empty for Saturday’s service. Francis warned the churchmen not to use their titles for corrupt, personal gain. SENT: 950 words, photos.
INDIA-FARMER-PROTESTS — Thousands of farmers in and around the Indian capital are pressing on with their protest against agricultural legislation they say could devastate crop prices, while the government seeks talks with their leaders. SENT: 350 words, photos.
KASHMIR-LOCAL ELECTION — Hundreds of thousands of people in Indian-controlled Kashmir have voted amid tight security and freezing cold temperatures in the first phase of local elections, the first since New Delhi revoked the disputed region’s semiautonomous status. SENT: 630 words, photo.
AZERBAIJAN-LAND-MINE — Azerbaijan: 4 dead in mine blast in newly retaken region. SENT: 100 words.
SOUTH SUDAN-EGYPT— In the first visit by an Egyptian president to South Sudan, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said he and President Salva Kiir discussed regional security and the usage of Nile waters, but he didn’t mention the country currently at the heart of both issues, Ethiopia. SENT: 260 words, photos.
MONTENEGRO-SERBIA-TENSIONS — Montenegro’s outgoing pro-Western government declared the ambassador of neighboring Serbia persona non grata, reflecting a spike in tensions days before the planned inauguration of a new, pro-Serb government in Montenegro. SENT: 250 words.
BRITAIN-FRANCE-MIGRANTS — The British government says it has agreed with France to double the number of police patrolling beaches in northern France in an attempt to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats. SENT: 230 words.
BREXIT — Teams from Britain and the European Union are resuming face-to-face talks on a post-Brexit trade deal, but both sides sound gloomy about striking an agreement in the little remaining time. SENT: 370 words, photo.
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NATIONAL
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US-MALL-SHOOTING — Police are looking for a gunman who shot and killed two teens at a Northern California mall in the midst of Black Friday, sending shoppers running for safety, authorities said. SENT: 325 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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FBC—GRIEVING-COWBOYS — ARLINGTON, Texas — The emotion was still raw a day after Dallas lost to Washington about 24 hours removed from the death of strength coach Markus Paul. The Cowboys will have more time to grieve after their next game against Baltimore was pushed back four days. By Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 5 p.m.
T25-AUBURN-ALABAMA — No. 1 Alabama won’t have coach Nick Saban when it plays Bo Nix and No. 22 Auburn, but quarterback Mac Jones & Co. are heavy favorites. By John Zenor. UPCOMING: 700 words. No photos planned. Game starts 3:30 p.m.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Rob Jagodzinski can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, 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.