AP News Digest 4:15 a.m.
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TOP STORIES
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — President Donald Trump says that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, a stunning announcement that plunges the country deeper into uncertainty just a month before the presidential election. By Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin. SENT: 1,280 words, photos video. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-THE LATEST; VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TRUMP-TIMELINE.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-GLOBAL REACTION — News of the infection of the most powerful man in the world with the most notorious disease in the world drew instant reactions of shock, sympathy, undisguised glee and, of course, the ever-present outrage and curiosity that follow much of what Trump does, even from 10,000 miles away. By Foster Klug. SENT: 850 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TRUMP-OTHER-LEADERS — Trump joins growing list of virus-infected world leaders.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — A critical snapshot of the job market and the economy to be released is expected to show a further deceleration in hiring as the nation’s viral caseload creeps higher and as government financial aid has faded. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 920 words, photos. UPCOMING: Report at 8:30 a.m. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-A-COMMUNITY-BESET — In a chaotic year destined for the history books, a Black community in Chicago has written its own grim chapter. Auburn Gresham has endured a deadly virus, protests, gun violence and economic misery. The constant state of turmoil mirrors the tumult that has afflicted much of urban America. But there is reason for optimism, too. A local group recently received a $10 million grant that will be used to bring medical care, food and other needed services to the South Side community. By National Writer Sharon Cohen. SENT: 2,700 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 960 words is available.
NATIONAL GUARD-CIVIL UNREST — The National Guard has designated military police units in two states to serve as rapid reaction forces so they can respond quickly to any potential civil unrest around the country, following violent protests that rocked the nation’s capital and several states this summer. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 720 words, photos.
INDIA-ECONOMIC-GLOOM — Millions of distressed Indian manufacturers and traders are counting on the eagerly awaited October-December festive season to rescue them from their coronavirus catastrophe. But spending may be the last thing on the minds of many Indians who have lost their jobs or businesses in the pandemic downturn. By Ashok Sharma and Rishabh R. Jain. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, graphic.
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MORE ON THE 2020 ELECTION
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ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-ABORTION — Trump is now tiptoeing around the abortion issue as he tries to get another justice confirmed to the Supreme Court before the Nov. 3 election. SENT: 990 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP TAXES-VOTERS — Interviews with voters in swing-state Wisconsin show scant evidence of damaging impact from The New York Times’ reporting this week on Trump’s long-secret tax returns. SENT: 760 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-VOTING-LEGAL CHALLENGES — Trump’s reelection campaign and his allies in the Republican Party are peppering local elections offices with complaints and demands as voting begins. SENT: 1,290 words, photos.
TRUMP-RULE OF LAW — The Trump administration’s willingness to flout the law and undermine government institutions is emerging as a troubling trend in the leadup to an election where anxiety already is running high about whether the president will accept the results of the vote. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
VOTERS OF COLOR-DEBATE REACTION — When Trump refused to outright condemn white nationalists in this week’s presidential debate and urged his supporters to monitor polling sites, Portia Roberson was reminded of earlier eras when Black Americans were intimidated at the polls to deter them from voting. SENT: 980 words, photos
ELECTION-2020-AL-SMITH-DINNER — Trump and Biden appeal to the nation’s Roman Catholic voters during a charity dinner that traditionally has been used to promote collegiality and good humor. SENT: 650 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-PENNSYLVANIA-MAIL-IN VOTING — Trump’s campaign follows through on a threat to sue Philadelphia, filing papers in court over city officials preventing campaign representatives from watching people registering to vote or filling out mail-in ballots in election offices there. SENT: 590 words, photos. With ELECTION-SECURITY-STOLEN-USB-DRIVES — Laptop, USB drives stolen from Philly election-staging site.
ELECTION-2020-BIDEN-FUNDRAISING — Biden again shattered fundraising records, topping his already gargantuan August cash haul during the month of September, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. SENT: 380 words, photo.
ELECTION-2020-GEORGIA-CONGRESS — More than $1 million and 30,000 ballots later, Georgia voters will be sending someone to Congress amid hopes that a month in Washington is worth it. SENT: 540 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-TEXAS-VOTING — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott dramatically reduces the state’s number of drop-off sites for mail-in ballots, a move the Republican says was needed to ensure election security, while Democrats quickly blasted it as a naked effort to suppress voters. SENT: 740 words, photo.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE-SEASONAL WORKERS — Eastern European seasonal workers, led by Romanians, are considered essential to getting food on the table throughout Europe. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-MONEY-SENT-TO-MEXICO — Mexican workers have confounded economists by sending home huge sums of money during the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 970 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — Australia and New Zealand announced a partial opening of their borders to travel between the neighboring countries. SENT: 560 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PUERTO RICO — Puerto Rico’s government extends measures to fight COVID-19 for two more weeks, meaning that restaurants, gyms and theaters across the U.S. territory will keep operating at limited capacity. SENT: 250 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California will begin to require counties to bring down coronavirus infection rates in disadvantaged communities that have been harder hit by the pandemic, a move that could slow the methodical reopening of the nation’s most populous state. SENT: 930 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
A separate wire advisory has moved outlining our complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-AMAZON — Amazon: Nearly 20,000 workers tested positive for COVID-19. SENT: 530 words, photo.
PEOPLE-SHIA LABEOUF — Shia LaBeouf charged with misdemeanor battery, petty theft. SENT: 140 words, photo.
CHINA-FIRE — Fire kills 13 at Chinese theme park at start of long holiday. SENT: 110 words.
BLACK LUNG-COAL OPERATOR — Former coal CEO files for black lung benefits. SENT: 440 words, photo.
LADY NINJA TO RESCUE — “Lady Ninja” pummels assailant who attacked elderly friend. SENT: 540 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Democrats controlling the House narrowly pass a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, a move that came as top-level talks on a smaller, potentially bipartisan measure dragged on toward an uncertain finish. SENT: 990 words, photos.
MELANIA-TRUMP-TAPES — First lady Melania Trump expresses support for the care that migrant children separated from their families received in U.S. detention centers, suggesting the facilities were better than what they had at home with their parents, in a series of recordings CNN aired. SENT: 370 words, photo.
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NATIONAL
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CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES — California is poised to hit a fearsome milestone: 4 million acres burned this year by wildfires that have killed 30 people and incinerated hundreds of homes in what is already the worst fire season on record. SENT: 750 words, photos.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-BREONNA TAYLOR — An audio recording of grand jury proceedings that ended with no criminal charges against police officers for the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor is slated to be released. SENT: 370 words, photo.
DRY SOUTHWEST — Cities across the U.S. Southwest recorded their driest monsoon season on record this year, some with only a trace or no rain. SENT: 640 words, photos.
LOUISIANA POLICE DEATH-FEDERAL PROBE — In graphic, matter-of-fact chatter picked up on his body-camera mic, a Louisiana State trooper implicated in the death of a Black man can be heard talking of beating and choking him before “all of a sudden he just went limp.” An AP Exclusive. By Jim Mustian. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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IRAQ-MISSING-PROTESTERS — Militias in Iraq are widely believed to be behind the abductions of at least 50 activists, as well as the assassinations of more than 60 others. SENT: 1,660 words, photos. An abridged version of 1,030 words is available.
ETHIOPIA-SAUDI ARABIA-DETAINED MIGRANTS — New details are emerging of the squalid detention conditions and abuses facing thousands of migrants from Ethiopia in Saudi Arabia. SENT: 640 words, photo.
GERMANY-REUNIFICATION-FROM COMMUNISM TO COLA — As Germany marks 30 years since its reunification between communist East Germany and capitalist West Germany, many who experienced the end of communist rule look back at the period with mixed emotions. SENT: 950 words, photos.
EUROPE-BELARUS-TURKEY — European Union leaders agree to impose sanctions on dozens of senior officials in Belarus accused of falsifying presidential election results and leading a crackdown on peaceful protesters. SENT: 780 words, photos.
CENTRAL AMERICA-MIGRANTS — Guatemala vows to detain and return members of a new caravan of about 2,000 migrants that set out from neighboring Honduras in hopes of reaching the United States, saying they represent a health threat amid the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 950 words, photos.
UNITED NATIONS-EQUALITY FOR WOMEN — One by one, leaders and ministers from over 100 nations admitted that 25 years after the adoption of a road map to achieve equality for women not a single country has reached that goal — and many warned that instead of progress there is now push back. SENT: 1,280 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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FINANCIAL MARKETS — U.S. stock futures and Asian shares fell Friday after Trump said he and his wife had tested positive for the new coronavirus. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 680 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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OWNERS-SOCIAL JUSTICE — While the NFL fights for racial equality, current and former players want team owners to take more specific actions. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi. SENT: 980 words, photos.
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