AP News Digest 7 a.m.

Britain Royal Family TV Moments

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

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BRITAIN-MEGHAN-AND-HARRY-INTERVIEW — Britain’s royal family is absorbing the tremors from a sensational television interview by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, in which the couple said they encountered racist attitudes and a lack of support that drove Meghan to thoughts of suicide. The couple gave a deeply unflattering depiction of life inside the royal household, depicting a cold, uncaring institution that they had to flee to save their lives. By Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka. SENT: 950 words, photos, video. WITH BRITAIN-MEGHAN-AND-HARRY-INTERVIEW-QUOTE BOX; BRITAIN-MEGHAN-AND-HARRY-INTERVIEW-THE LATEST.

BIDEN-CONGRESS -- With President Joe Biden on the verge of his first big legislative victory, a key moderate Democrat said Sunday he’s open to changing Senate rules that could allow for more party-line votes to push through other parts of the White House’s agenda such as voting rights. By Hope Yen. SENT: 780 words, photos.

IRAQ-POPE — Pope Francis wrapped up a historic whirlwind tour of Iraq that sought to bring hope to the country’s marginalized Christian minority with a message of coexistence, forgiveness and peace. By Nicole Winnfield and Samya Kullab. SENT: 610 words, photos.

GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICER TRIAL — The fate of a former Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into George Floyd’s neck as the Black man said he couldn’t breathe will be decided by 12 residents of Hennepin County who will be picked after extensive grilling about their views. SENT: 780 words, photos. WITH: George Floyd-Officer Trial-Timeline (sent).

BIDEN-GENDER EQUITY -- President Joe Biden is set to sign an executive order on Monday directing the Department of Education to review policies implemented by the Donald Trump administration, including changes to Title IX regulations that prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded institutions, according to administration officials. The order directing the Title IX review could pave the way to a major shift in how colleges handle allegations of sexual misconduct. By Aamer Madhani. SENT: 450 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ZIMBABWE-WOMEN’S DAY — From driving trucks and fixing cars to encouraging girls living with disabilities to find productive places in society, many women in Zimbabwe are refusing to be defined by their gender, even as the pandemic hits them hardest and imposes extra burdens. In many instances, Zimbabwean women have become leaders to help this troubled southern African country grapple with the double trauma of COVID-19 and ongoing economic deterioration. By Farai Mutsaka. SENT: 730 words, photos.

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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

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JAPAN-TSUNAMI-ANNIVERSARY-THEN-&-NOW-PHOTO GALLERY — Tsunami scars linger a decade later in Japan. SENT: 470 words, photos.

FRANCE-HELICOPTER CRASH — A French billionaire aviation industrialist and member of parliament has died in a helicopter crash along with the pilot. SENT: 180 words, photos.

MACKENZIE SCOTT-REMARRIES — MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist, author and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has married a Seattle science teacher. SENT: 280 words, photo.

FILM-BOX OFFICE — Audiences hold back, even as more movie theaters open. SENT: 280 words, photos.

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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK

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VIRUS-OUTBREAK — Workers such as restaurant servers and retail clerks are balancing the anticipation of better earnings with concerns about keeping themselves safe as states lift mask mandates and ease restrictions on businesses. Some workers say they’re worried about getting COVID-19 as crowds return and resistance from co-workers and customers when they try to enforce their employers’ ongoing mask requirements. SENT: 1,240 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (sent).

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINE-JUDGING — As the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines widens in the U.S., varying eligibility rules and unequal access to the coveted doses are sometimes breeding feelings of guilt, envy and judgement. SENT: 860 words, photos.

LEBANON — Protesters have closed all major roads leading to the Lebanese capital, causing traffic jams and triggering a call by the head of the hospitals union who warned that such moves are preventing oxygen supplies from reaching medical centers treating coronavirus patients. SENT: 410 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIETNAM — Vietnam has administered its first COVID-19 doses to the front-line workers who made the nation’s relative success in controlling the pandemic possible. SENT: 310 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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UNITED STATES-SOUTH KOREA -- The United States and South Korea have reached agreement in principle on a new arrangement for sharing the cost of the American troop presence, which is intended as a bulwark against the threat of North Korean aggression, both countries announced. By Robert Burns and Matthew Lee. SENT: 670 words, photos.

JILL BIDEN-WOMEN — First lady Jill Biden says nearly two dozen women the State Department is honoring for their courage made an “intentional decision” to persist and demand justice despite their fear. The 21 women being recognized Monday with the department’s International Women of Courage Award include seven from Afghanistan who are receiving posthumous honors. By Darlene Superville. SENT: 450 words, photos. Ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. EST.

JILL BIDEN -- Jill Biden once said she’d never let her platform as first lady “go to waste.” She has filled the opening days of her new role with virtual meetings, teaching her community college English class, official travel, running errands in the Washington area and moving the family’s dogs into the White House By Darlene Superville. SENT: 1,170 words, photos.

PENCE-SOUTH CAROLINA — Former Vice President Mike Pence is set to travel to South Carolina for his first public comments since leaving office. SENT: 430 words, photo.

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NATIONAL

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CUOMO-SEXUAL HARASSMENT — The two top Democrats in New York’s legislature withdrew their support for Gov. Andrew Cuomo amid mounting allegations of sexual harassment and undercounting COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the first senior Democrat in the state to say he should resign. By Karen Matthews and Davide Porter. SENT: 880 words, photos.

WINTER WEATHER-HOUSTON DISASTERS — Although the deadly storm that sent the southern U.S. into a deep freeze last month caused widespread power outages and damage in many parts of Texas, experts say it is just the latest disaster to disproportionately affect Houston’s communities of color. Three weeks on, some in historically Black neighborhoods in the city are still without running water. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

HAVARD-COMFORT WOMEN — A Harvard University professor has ignited international uproar after he alleged that Korean women who were kept as sex slaves in wartime Japan had actually chosen to work as prostitutes. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.

TRUMP-LEGAL TROUBLES-ESTATE — A century-old estate that Donald Trump owns in suburban New York is subdued by the former president’s standards, but it could end up being one of his bigger legal nightmares. SENT: 1,540 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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MYANMAR — Security forces have shot dead two people in northern Myanmar, as the military government continues its attempt to stamp out opposition to its Feb. 1 coup. The Irrawaddy newspaper says the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State. SENT: 730 words, photos.

AFGHANISTAN-WOMEN UNDER FIRE — Prominent activist Sima Samar has been fighting for women’s rights in Afghanistan for the past 40 years. She says in an interview that she is worried about the future at a time when violence is on the rise, peace talks between rival Afghan groups are stuck and the U.S. mulls its departure from her country. By Kathy Gannon. SENT:1,050 words, photos.

PHILLIPINES-DEADLY POLICE RAIDS — Philippine police backed by military forces killed nine people over the weekend in a series of raids against suspected communist insurgents, with authorities saying the suspects opened fire first. Others, however, said those killed were unarmed activists. SENT: 510 words, photos.

CHINA-EXPLAINING THE CONGRESS — Midway through its annual session, China’s ceremonial parliament is focusing on boosting the economy, building self-reliance in technology and further squeezing room for political opposition in Hong Kong. SENT: 700 words, photo.

HONG KONG-POLITICS — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Monday that the Hong Kong government “fully welcomes” the reforms to the city’s electoral system, after Beijing proposed a major revamp that will increase central government control over Hong Kong politics. SENT: 550 words, photos.

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BUSINESS/TECH

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FINANCIAL MARKETS — Asian shares were mixed Monday, as some indexes were lifted by hopes for a gradual global recovery after the U.S. stimulus package passed the Senate over the weekend. SENT: 590 words, photos.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MUSIC-GRAMMYWATCH-JESSIE COLLINS — The calls keep coming in for veteran TV producer Jesse Collins. He executive produced this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, becoming the first Black person to do so. He’s returning to the Grammys for a 10th year, this time with a promotion to co-executive producer. And he’s set to bring his special touch to the 2021 Academy Awards, thanks to a recommendation from Oprah Winfrey. SENT: 840 words, photos.

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SPORTS

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BKN-ALL-STAR-GAME — Even in the strangest NBA All-Star Game of them all, LeBron James was still the perfect captain. Team LeBron showed off its high-flying and long-range skills during a dominating run to close out the first half. That set up a 170-150 romp over Team Durant in the league’s 70th midseason showcase. By Paul Newberry. SENT: 860 words, photos. With BKN-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NBA-ALL-STAR — Embiid, Simmons to miss All-Star Game over contact tracing. SENT: 710 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Dave Clark 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.