AP News Digest 7:25 a.m.

Saturday 16 October 2021 12:24 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

—————————-

ONLY ON AP

—————————

ETHIOPIA TIGRAY CRISIS-CITY UNDER SIEGE — In the capital of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a year of war and months of government-enforced deprivation have left the city of a half-million people with a rapidly dwindling stock of food, fuel, medicine and cash. The Associated Press drew on a dozen interviews with residents for the most detailed picture yet of life under blockade. By Cara Anna. SENT: 1,300 words, photos.

—————————

TOP STORIES

—————————

VIRGINIA GOVERNOR-TRUMP — When Donald Trump rallied Republicans this week to vote for Glenn Youngkin for governor in Virginia, the former president called into a rally of diehard supporters. That may be the closest he gets to campaigning in the most closely watched election of 2021. There is little expectation Trump and Youngkin will campaign together in person. By Jill Colvin And Sarah Rankin. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.

BIDEN — President Joe Biden says he would prefer to slash the length of the new and expanded programs in his $3.5 trillion social safety net and climate change legislation, rather than eliminate programs entirely. Biden is trying to reassure progressives who are worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations. By Zeke Miller and Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 1,030 words, photos

BRITAIN-LAWMAKER-KILLED — Leaders from across the political spectrum came together Saturday to pay tribute to a long-serving British lawmaker who was stabbed to death in what police have described as a terrorist incident. By Pan Pylas. SENT: 510 words, photos.

LEBANON-PORT-BLAST-ANALYSIS — Many of today’s most powerful men in Lebanon have survived civil war, assassinations, uprisings and turmoil, hanging on to power for decades in a turbulent, unforgiving region. They cling to power and wealth as Lebanon takes hit after hit, grappling with the one of the world’s worst economic meltdowns and with the aftermath of a devastating explosion that ripped through Beirut’s port a year ago, killing more than 215 people. By Zeina Karam SENT: 980 words, photos.

ASTEROID-CHASER — A NASA spacecraft named Lucy rocketed into the sky with diamonds on a 12-year quest to explore eight asteroids. Seven of the mysterious space rocks are among swarms of asteroids sharing Jupiter’s orbit, thought to be the pristine leftovers of planetary formation. By Marcia Dunn. SENT: Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn. SENT: 560 words, photos, video.

AFGHANISTAN — The Islamic State group says its members are responsible for a deadly suicide bombing on a Shiite mosque in southern Afghanistan. The group says in a statement posted on social media that two of its members shot and killed security guards manning the entrance of the Fatimiya mosque in Kandahar. SENT: 250 words, photos.

—————————————

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

US EditionChange

Thank you for registering

AP News Digest 7:25 a.m.

Your support helps us to tell the story