TOP STORIES
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-CONGRESS — President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Sunday evening, ending days of drama over his refusal to accept the bipartisan deal that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and avert a federal government shutdown. By Jill Colvin, Lisa Mascaro and Andrew Taylor. SENT: 950 words, photos. WITH: VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-HIGHLIGHTS.
AMERICA DISRUPTED-NO WINNERS — Elections are meant to resolve arguments. This one inflamed them. Weeks after the votes have been counted and the winners declared, many Americans are grappling with larger, more disquieting realizations: The foundations of the American experiment have been shaken — by partisan rancor, disinformation, a president’s assault on democracy and a deadly coronavirus pandemic. By Tamara Lush, Josh Boak, Nicholas Riccardi and Claire Galofaro. SENT: 1,860 words, photos. An abridged version is also available.
Jorge Perez lines up to refill an oxygen tank for a family member sick with COVID-19 in Mexico City, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoGinnette Riquelme)
EXPLOSION-NASHVILLE — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion, federal officials said. Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man, identified as Anthony Quinn Warner, to the mysterious explosion, though officials said they still had not uncovered a motive for the bombing. By Kimberlee Kruesi, Michael Balsamo and Eric Tucker. SENT: 740 words, photos. With EXPLOSION-NASHVILLE-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE — Doctors, nurses and the elderly rolled up their sleeves across the European Union to receive the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine in a symbolic show of unity and moment of hope for a continent confronting its worst health care crisis in a century. Weeks after the U.S., Canada and Britain began inoculations with the same vaccine, the 27-nation bloc staged a coordinated rollout aimed at projecting a unified message that the shot was safe and Europe’s best chance to emerge from the pandemic. By Nicole Winfield. SENT: 1,100 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINES-THE POOREST — The task of vaccinating millions of people in poor and developing countries against COVID-19 faces monumental obstacles, and it’s not just a problem of affording and obtaining doses. In many countries, wars and insurgencies endanger vaccinators. Poor infrastructure often means roads are treacherous and electricity is sporadic for the refrigerators vital to preserving vaccines. Corruption can siphon away funds, and vaccination campaign planners must sometimes navigate through multiple armed factions. Suspicions of vaccinations flourish in some places. By Kathy Gannon, Andrew Meldrum and Lee Keath. SENT: 1,140 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight.
Ice fishermen huddle over a hole in the ice on Ghost Lake Reservoir near Cochrane, Alberta, Canada Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. (Jeff McIntoshThe Canadian Press via AP)
PAKISTAN-FORCED CONVERSIONS — Rights groups say each year in Pakistan, as many as 1,000 girls are forcibly converted to Islam, often after being abducted or tricked. Most are then married off, frequently to older men. Activists say the practice has accelerated during lockdowns against the coronavirus, when girls are out of school and more visible, bride traffickers are more active on the Internet and families are more in debt. Amnesty International calls forced conversions “among the most horrific of the many crimes committed against religious minorities in Pakistan." By Kathy Gannon. SENT: 1,360 words, photos.
YE--FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR — Tennis star Naomi Osaka has been selected by The Associated Press as the Female Athlete of the Year. Osaka won the U.S. Open in September for her third Grand Slam title. She also became a leading voice in her sport by speaking out about racial injustice and police brutality. By AP Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich. SENT: 820 words, photos.
Find more year-end coverage on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
BBO-OBIT-NIEKRO — Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer. He was 81. SENT: 470 words, photo.
NEW-YEAR’S-EVE-TIMES-SQUARE — Workers installed 192 glittering Waterford crystal triangles on Times Square’s New Year’s Eve ball in preparation for a pandemic-limited celebration that will lack the usual tightly packed crowds of revelers. SENT: 120 words, photos.
FILM-BOX OFFICE — Despite premiering simultaneously by streaming service, “Wonder Woman 1984” managed the best box office debut of the pandemic, opening with $16.7 million over the Christmas weekend, according to studio estimates. SENT: 720 words, photos.
UTAH FOOTBALLER-DEATH — Ty Jordan, a star freshman running back for the University of Utah, died at a Dallas-area hospital after accidentally shooting himself, authorities say. SENT: 250 words, photos.
IRAN-AVALANCHE — Avalanches kill 12 in mountainous area near Iran’s capital. SENT: 160 words, photos.
REL-VATICAN-FAMILY — Pope proclaims year of families, offers advice to keep peace. SENT: 200 words, photo.
MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — The head of drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine widely expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week, said that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus driving a rapid surge in infections in Britain. SENT: 410 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-US — Dr. Anthony Fauci predicted the general population would be getting immunized widely by late March or early April — beyond the front-line workers, older people and certain other segments of the public given priority for the vaccines. SENT: 250 words, photos. VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE — While governments across Europe kicked off their virus vaccination plans this weekend with fanfare, France took a more low-key approach because of widespread skepticism among its citizens around the vaccines. SENT: 680 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PACIFIC ISLANDS-FOOD — Many Pacific island countries and territories have had few confirmed cases of COVID-19, but the pandemic has compounded the region’s food issues. The isolated islands have little arable land and rely on food imports, and the disruption to the supply chain has sent food prices soaring. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SOUTH-AFRICA — South Africa’s COVID-19 spike has taken the country to more than 1 million confirmed cases and President Cyril Ramaphosa called an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council. SENT: 400 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NATIVE-ELDERS — Across the nation, Native American tribes are working to protect their oldest members from the coronavirus. The effort is about more than protecting lives. Tribal elders serve as honored links to the past and often possess unique knowledge of language, history and culture. SENT: 890 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
ELECTION-2020-SENATE-GEORGIA — When Georgia Republican Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock advanced to the Jan. 5 U.S. Senate runoff, they faced the immediate challenge of winning over the 2 million voters who chose one of the 18 other candidates in November’s election. Polls show they have largely succeeded, and that could give Loeffler, the incumbent, a small advantage. SENT: 820 words, photos.
INTERNATIONAL
SUDAN-ETHIOPIA-THE TRAUMA — In a fragile refugee community on the edge of Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict, those who have fled nearly two months of deadly fighting continue to bring new accounts of horror. No one knows how many thousands of people have been killed. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
NKOREA-KIM’S CRISES — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, facing the toughest challenges of his nine-year rule, is expected to use next month’s ruling party congress, the first of its kind in five years, to bolster internal unity and lay out new economic and foreign policies. While few question Kim’s grip on power, there is still room for things to get worse. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
CHINA-ANT-GROUP — Chinese regulators have ordered Ant Group to rectify its businesses and comply with regulatory requirements amid increased scrutiny of anti-monopoly practices in the country’s internet sector. SENT: 470 words, photos.
SUDAN — The death of a Sudanese man who was snatched while sitting at a coffee shop has sparked controversy around the scope of a paramilitary force whose members once formed the backbone of a militia that rights groups say committed war crimes in Darfur. SENT: 710 words, photo. With SUDAN-CAR CRASH — Sudan says provincial governor killed in car crash. SENT: 200 words.
CENTRAL-AFRICAN-REPUBLIC-ELECTIONS — Central African Republic held presidential and legislative elections amid fears of violence after a campaign period marked by fighting between rebels and government forces. SENT: 890 words, photos.
EGYPT-LIBYA — Egyptian diplomats and intelligence officials arrived in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Libyan officials said, the most senior Egyptian delegation to visit the western part of the conflict-stricken country in years. SENT: 500 words, photo.
RUSSIA-NAVALNY — A top associate of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been released from detention and said she was charged with trespassing after ringing the doorbell of an alleged security operative who inadvertently revealed details of Navalny’s supposed poisoning with a Soviet-era nerve agent. SENT: 450 words, photos.
NATIONAL
BOWLING ALLEY SHOOTING — A U.S. serviceman from Florida has been charged in a shooting at an Illinois bowling alley that left three people dead and three wounded, authorities say. SENT: 690 words, photos.
MEN SHOT-MUSIC VIDEO — One of the six men who were shot near Boston while filming a music video has died. Lynn police Lt. Michael Kmiec says police found the six victims Saturday scattered along a dead-end street. SENT: 170 words.
ENTERTAINMENT
OBIT-TONY RICE — Tony Rice, the master bluegrass picker who drew fans worldwide for the chance to hear the quick, fluid sounds he conjured from his storied Martin D-28 guitar, has died at age 69. SENT: 630 words.
SPORTS
AUSTRALIAN OPEN-FEDERER WITHDRAWS — Roger Federer’s agent tells The Associated Press that the 20-time Grand Slam champion is withdrawing from the Australian Open. SENT: 300 words, photos.
SANTA ANITA-FATALITIES — A 2-year-old colt racing in the $80,150 Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita has been fatally injured, becoming the Southern California track’s first fatality since June. SENT: 100 words.
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