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
A man wearing a face mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus walks by a photo showing a snowboard action on on display inside the Olympics Tower in Beijing on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. A coalition of 180 rights group on Wednesday called for a boycott of next year's Beijing Winter Olympics tied to reported human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)
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BIDEN-ECONOMY — President Biden pans a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan as insufficient as Senate Democrats push ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it. By Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak. SENT: 940 words, photos, video.
MYANMAR — Myanmar’s new leader says the military government installed after Monday’s coup plans an investigation into alleged fraud in last year’s elections and will also prioritize the COVID-19 outbreak and the economy, a state newspaper reports. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced the moves at the first meeting of his new government in the capital. SENT: 570 words, photos. With MYANMAR-CHINA-FACTOR — Coup a further complication for tricky Myanmar-China ties; EXPLAINER-MYANMAR’S-NAME — Myanmar, Burma and why the different names matter; MYANMAR-THE LADY AND THE GENERALS — Myanmar’s Suu Kyi detained again — without her old support.
FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, police keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. As federal officials grapple with how to confront the national security threat from domestic extremists after the deadly siege of the U.S. Capitol, civil rights groups and communities of color are watching warily for any moves to expand law enforcement power or authority. (AP PhotoJulio Cortez, File)
CONGRESS-DIVIDED REPUBLICANS — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy met with hard-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as Republicans wrestled over how to handle a bipartisan outcry over her embrace of outlandish conspiracy theories, like suggestions that mass shootings at the nation’s schools were staged. By Alan Fram, Steve Peoples and Brian Slodysko. SENT: 880 words, photos.
CAPITOL BREACH-MINORITY CONCERNS — As federal officials grapple with how to confront the national security threat from domestic extremists after the deadly siege of the U.S. Capitol, civil rights groups and communities of color are watching warily for any moves to expand law enforcement power or authority. They say their communities have felt the brunt of security scrutiny over the last two decades and fear new tools meant to target right-wing extremism or white nationalists risk harming Muslims, Black Americans and other groups, even if unintentionally. By Noreen Nasir and Eric Tucker. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
FACE-DOUBLE HAND TRANSPLANT — Almost six months after a rare face and hands transplant, Joe DiMeo is relearning how to smile, blink, pinch and squeeze. The 22-year-old New Jersey resident had the operation last August, two years after being badly burned in a car crash. By Marion Renault and Marshall Ritzel. SENT: 820 words, photos, video.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pay their respects to the late U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick as an urn with his cremated remains lies in honor on a black-draped table at center of Capitol Rotunda, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Washington. (Erin SchaffThe New York Times via AP, Pool)
IRAQ-BAGHDAD-BARMAN — Hidden away in a dark corner of central Baghdad is the most unlikely of businesses: a bar. Its owner, a Syrian migrant, opened the establishment a few weeks ago as a refuge for a hand-picked clientele that wants to evade the stigma of drinking alcohol in a conservative, Muslim-majority society. But being a barman in Baghdad is a dangerous job these days, and alcohol shops are routinely targeted by disapproving militia groups. By Samya Kullab. SENT: 970 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoEvan Vucci)
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BEIJING-BOYCOTT-LETTER — Rights groups call for boycott of Beijing 2022 Winter Games. SENT: 420 words, photos.
INDUSTRIAL-PARK-EXPLOSION — Four hurt in explosion at Los Angeles-area industrial park. SENT: 180 words, photo.
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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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BRITAIN-GSK-VACCINES — U.K.-based drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline and Germany’s CureVac say they plan to collaborate on a new generation of vaccines targeting emerging variants of COVID-19. SENT: 130 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHINA-VACCINES — China announces a plan to provide 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses to developing nations through the global COVAX initiative. SENT: 70 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHINA-WHO-MISSION — World Health Organization investigators visited a research center in the Chinese city of Wuhan that has been the subject of speculation about the origins of the coronavirus, with one member saying they’d intended to meet key staff and press them on critical issues. SENT: 580 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korean officials are taking steps to limit travel and gatherings during next week’s Lunar New Year’s holidays, allowing train operators to sell only window seats and passenger vessels to operate at half capacity, as they fight a steady rise in coronavirus transmissions. SENT: 490 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-MALAWI — Malawi faces a resurgence of COVID-19 that is overwhelming the southern African country where a presidential residence and a national stadium have been turned into field hospitals in efforts to save lives. SENT: 620 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-HONG-KONG-FLOWER-FARMS — The Lunar New Year holiday is usually a busy period for flower farms in Hong Kong, but the pandemic and restrictions on such festive markets this year has taken a toll on many farms, who worry that they may be left with an oversupply of flowers. SENT: 300 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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CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR — Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has gone from a governor in command to one lurching from one political crisis to the next as the pandemic enters its second year. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.
BIDEN-IMMIGRATION — Biden signs a second spate of orders to undo his predecessor’s immigration policies, demonstrating the powers of the White House and its limitations without support from Congress. SENT: 940 words, photos, video.
CAPITOL BREACH-OFFICER KILLED — Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died at the hands of the mob that besieged the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, lies in honor in the building’s Rotunda. SENT: 630 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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ROCHESTER POLICE-CHILD PEPPER SPRAYED — The mother of a 9-year-old girl who was handcuffed and pepper-sprayed by Rochester police said the officers involved should be fired. SENT: 390 words.
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INTERNATIONAL
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PALESTINIANS-HAMAS TARNISHED — With new elections planned this spring, the Islamic militant group Hamas will struggle to campaign as a scrappy underdog that is above trading its principles for material comforts. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
ITALY-POLITICS — Italy’s president is expected to ask Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank chief credited with saving the euro, to try to lead Italy through the coronavirus pandemic after last-ditch talks among squabbling politicians failed to produce a viable new coalition. SENT: 560 words, photos. UPCOMING: Draghi expected at 5 a.m.
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BUSINESS/TECH
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AMAZON-CEO SUCCESSION — Even after stepping aside as CEO, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos appears likely to keep identifying new frontiers for the world’s dominant e-commerce company. By Business Writers Joseph Pisani and Michael Liedtke. SENT: 770 words, photos.
GAMESTOP-FUTURE — Behind GameStop’s stock surge is the grim reality of its prospects: The video game retailer is floundering even as the industry around it is booming. By Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio. SENT: 1,050 words, photo.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares were mostly higher as investors bet on eventual approval of a relatively big version of Biden’s pandemic relief bill. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 540 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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GOLDEN-GLOBES-NOMINATIONS — Whether anyone will attend the Golden Globes in person remains uncertain and improbable, but nominations to the 78th Globes will be announced nevertheless. By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 520 words, photos. UPCOMING: Announcement at 8:35 a.m.
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL-AWARDS — Questlove accepted his documentary grand jury prize and audience award from his car on the way to work and “CODA” director Sian Heder accepted her top awards in American Sign Language from her own home with her kids by her side and her husband filming. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 530 words, photos.
PBS-KEN-BURNS — The chief executive of PBS rejected a filmmaker’s argument that public TV’s 40-year relationship with documentarian Ken Burns has come at the expense of diversity. By Television Writer Lynn Elber. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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SUPER BOWL-STRIP CLUBS — A global pandemic and reduced Super Bowl attendance could affect one storied business in the city of Tampa: strip clubs. SENT: 760 words, photos.
ESPN-AL DAVIS — When director Ken Rodgers decided to do a documentary looking back on the battles between late Raiders owner Al Davis and late NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, he decided he wanted to tell the stories from their perspectives. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. SENT: 760 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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