AP News Digest 3:25 a.m.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
—————————————
NEW/DEVELOPING
—————————————
IRAQ-BOMBING — Police officials say explosions have hit Iraq’s capital killing at least six people and wounding at least 25 others. SENT: 30 words UPCOMING: Developing, will be updated.
—————————-
TOP STORIES
—————————-
BIDEN-INAUGURATION — Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” and summoning American resilience and unity to confront the deeply divided nation’s historic confluence of crises. By Jonathan Lemire, Zeke Miller and Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 1,520 words, photos video. With BIDEN-WHO’S IN CHARGE — Career staffers move to acting Cabinet head; BIDEN-INAUGURATION-OVAL OFFICE — New president brings a slightly new look to Oval Office.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — As the U.S. enters “what may well be the toughest and deadliest period virus,” Biden is taking steps to try to stem the pandemic. He is intent on demonstrating a sense of urgency and competence that he argues was missing under his Republican predecessor. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. UPCOMING: 990 words, photo by 5 a.m. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-BIDEN-GLANCE.
REPUBLICAN FUTURE — For the first time in more than a decade, Republicans are waking up to a Washington where Democrats control the White House and Congress, adjusting to an era of diminished power, deep uncertainty and internal feuding. The process is especially intense as Republicans confront profound questions about what the party stands for without Donald Trump in charge. By National Political Writer Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,140 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VACCINE-VAN — More potential COVID-19 vaccines to fight the pandemic still are being tested, and some researchers are driving mobile labs into neighborhoods to recruit diverse volunteers. With scarce supplies of the Pfizer and Moderna shots, proving whether additional vaccines work is critical. So is ensuring they’re tested in communities of color that are hard-hit by the coronavirus yet have questions about vaccination. By Lauran Neergaard and Joseph B. Frederick. SENT: 970 words, photos, video.
BIDEN-INAUGURATION-WORLD REACTION — World leaders welcomed into their ranks the new U.S. president, noting their most pressing problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, require multilateral cooperation, an approach his predecessor Trump ridiculed. By Lorne Cook and Christopher Sherman. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video.
INAUGURATION-CHINA-ANALYSIS — As Biden takes office, the new U.S. president faces a determined Chinese leadership that could be further emboldened by America’s troubles at home. By Ken Moritsugu. SENT: 960 words, photos.
Find more coverage of the inauguration on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
———————————————————————
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
——————————————————————
BIDEN-INAUGURATION-POEM — Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman: “Even as we grieved, we grew." SENT: 730 words, photos.
CAPITOL-BREACH-LAPTOP — Woman accused of helping steal Pelosi laptop due in U.S. court. SENT: 270 words, photo.
LOTTERY JACKPOTS — Jackpot winner in $730 million Powerball, none in Mega Millions. SENT: 300 words, photo.
DANCING-ROBOTS-TECH — Behind those dancing robots, scientists had to bust a move. SENT: 680 words, photos, video.
SENTENCE-COMMUTED-VEGAS-GAMBLER — Insider trading sentence of Vegas gambler commuted by Trump. SENT: 290 words, photo.
HELICOPTER-CRASH — Military helicopter crash kills three in training exercise in New York. SENT: 230 words, photo, video.
—————————————————
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
—————————————————
BIDEN-INAUGURATION-ANALYSIS — Biden began his tenure with a call for American unity, but the new president's words felt less like rhetorical flourishes and more like an urgent appeal to stabilize the nation. By Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace. SENT: 970 words, photos, video. With BIDEN-INAUGURATION-SCENE — Washington couldn’t turn the page quickly enough from Trump to Biden; BIDEN-INAUGURATION-ON THE PLATFORM — Where Biden stood, reminders of a failed insurrection.
BIDEN-PATRIOTIC EDUCATION — Biden revokes a recent Trump administration report that aimed to promote “patriotic education” in schools but that historians rejected as political propaganda. An executive order disbanded Trump’s presidential 1776 Commission. By Education Writer Collin Binkley. SENT: 930 words, photos.
BIDEN-CABINET-BUTTIGIEG — Biden’s nominee for secretary of transportation, Pete Buttigieg, testifies at confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. UPCOMING: 630 words, photo by 6 a.m. Hearing at 10 a.m.
BIDEN-CONGRESS — Three new senators are sworn into office after Biden’s inauguration, securing the majority for Democrats in the Senate and across a unified government to tackle the new president’s agenda at a time of unprecedented national challenges. By Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 920 words, photos.
———————————————-
MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
———————————————-
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN-CATHEDRAL-VACCINATIONS — An 800-year-old cathedral in southwestern England has been turned into a mass vaccination center as the U.K. races to inoculate 50 million people. SENT: 810 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VIRAL-QUESTIONS-MIXING-VACCINES — The COVID-19 vaccines available so far require two shots, and health officials say the doses should be the same kind.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California says it’s safe to immediately begin using a batch of coronavirus vaccine doses after health officials urged a halt to injections and held a review because several people fell ill. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — Sri Lanka reopens to foreign tourists after a nearly 10-month pandemic closure that cut deeply into the Indian Ocean island nation’s lucrative travel industry. SENT: 540 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
———————————-
INTERNATIONAL
———————————-
IRAQ-IRAN-LIFELINE — Piles of plush carpets line the floors of a northern Iraq shopping center hosting traders from neighboring Iran who hope the spangle of their ornate handicrafts might offer a lifeline out of poverty. SENT: 590 words, photo.
————————
NATIONAL
————————
BIDEN-INAUGURATION-QANON — Biden’s inauguration has sown a mixture of anger, confusion and disappointment among believers in the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory. SENT: 1,090 words. photos.
NORTHWEST-PROTESTS — A group of protesters carrying anti-Biden and anti-police signs marched in Portland streets and damaged the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Oregon, police say. SENT: 290 words, photos.
—————————————
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
—————————————
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares mostly rose on optimism over the new U.S. administration that earlier set off a rally on Wall Street. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 770 words, photos.
EUROPE-ECONOMY — The European Central Bank is looking at a darkening picture for the economy as infections and deaths surge. By Business Writer David McHugh. SENT: 500 words, photo.
————————————
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
————————————
BIDEN-INAUGURATION-CELEBRITIES — A full-throated, supremely confident Lady Gaga belted out the national anthem at Biden’s inauguration in a very Gaga way — with flamboyance, fashion and passion. By National Writer Jocelyn Noveck. SENT: 880 words, photos.
————————
SPORTS
————————
TOKYO-POUND-FANS — Former IOC vice president Dick Pound says the Tokyo Olympics could go ahead without fans. By Sports Writer Stephen Wade. SENT: 600 words, photo.
——————————————
HOW TO REACH US
—————————————-
At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Shuji Kajiyama (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.