AP News Digest 7 a.m.
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ONLY ON AP
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FRANCE-24-HOURS-I -ICU — France is more than two weeks into its second coronavirus lockdown, and intensive care units have been over 95% capacity for more than 10 days now. Associated Press journalists spent 24 hours with the intensive care team at La Timone, southern France’s largest hospital, as they struggled just to keep even one bed open and bring in reinforcement staff. Doctors and nurses say they’re exhausted and frustrated that the government didn’t take advantage of the summer lull to prepare for the surge of infections to come. By Lori Hinnant. SENT: 2,120 words, photos. An abridged version of 940 words is also available.
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TOP STORIES
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-US SURGE — More governors and mayors are ratcheting up COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Thanksgiving for fear that holiday travel and family gatherings will only worsen the record-breaking, coast-to-coast resurgence of the virus. By David Eggert and Rachel La Corte. SENT: 820 words, photos.
BIDEN-TRANSITION-FEDERAL ROADBLOCK — The head of the General Services Administration, the federal agency that is holding up Joe Biden’s presidential transition, knew well before Election Day that she might have a messy situation on her hands. The man who led the agency in 2000 gave Emily Murphy some simple advice: “If you do the right thing, then all you have to do is live with the consequences of it.” By Aamer Madhani. SENT: 910 words, photos.
TROPICAL WEATHER — In a one-two punch, Hurricane Iota roars ashore as a dangerous Category 4 storm along almost exactly the same stretch of Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast that was devastated by an equally powerful Hurricane Eta 13 days earlier. By Gabriela Selser. SENT: 810 words, photos.
PUBLIC HEALTH-EDUCATION — Public health programs in the United States have seen a surge in enrollment as the coronavirus has swept through the country, killing more than 247,000 people. As state and local public health departments struggle with unprecedented challenges, a new generation is entering the field, determined to help fight the pandemic. By Michelle R. Smith and Kathy Young. SENT: 1,230 words, photos, video.
SPACEX-CREW LAUNCH — SpaceX’s newly launched capsule with four astronauts arrives at the International Space Station, their new home until spring. The Dragon capsule pulled up and docked, following a 27-hour, automated flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. By Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn. SENT: 430 words, photos, video. With CHINA-SPACE — China positions rocket ahead of ambitious lunar mission.
CONGRESS-SOCIAL MEDIA — A Senate panel is calling on the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter to defend their handling of disinformation in the contest between President Donald Trump and Biden. But the senators are deeply divided by party over the integrity and results of the election itself. By Business Writer Marcy Gordon. SENT: 780 words, photos. UPCOMING: Hearing at 10 a.m.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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AMAZON-PHARMACY — Amazon opens online pharmacy, shaking up another industry. SENT: 200 words.
KENYA-LAST-WHITE-GIRAFFE — World’s last known white giraffe gets GPS tracking device. SENT: 120 words, photos.
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-BREONNA-TAYLOR — Man indicted in shooting of two officers at Breonna Taylor protest. SENT: 180 words, photo.
GERMANY-BRITAIN-MISSING GIRL — German court: Madeleine McCann suspect injured while in custody. SENT: 220 words.
BERKSHIRE-HATHAWAY-INVESTMENTS — Buffett’s firm trims Apple stake, invests in drugmakers. SENT: 320 words.
NEW-YORK-RAPPE -SHOOTING-TEXAS — Rapper Benny the Butcher shot in robbery attempt in Houston. SENT: 420 words.
CHINA-HUAWEI — Huawei selling Honor phone brand in face of US sanctions. SENT: 860 words, photos.
BOOKS-CARNEGIE MEDALS — McBride, Rankine among nominees for Carnegie literary medals. SENT: 100 words, photo.
GERMANY-STOLEN-TREASURES — Raids, arrests as German police probe Dresden jewelry theft. SENT: 320 words, photos.
CHINA-BRITAIN-WATER RESCUE — British diplomat praised for saving drowning woman in China. SENT: 290 words.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-POLITICS — Trump and lawmakers in Congress are telling struggling Americans to just keep waiting for help as the nation grapples with a burgeoning coronavirus public health crisis. SENT: 940 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-VIRAL-QUESTIONS-VACCINES — Health care workers are likely to receive the first coronavirus vaccines when supplies are limited, but a decision on who gets the first shots has not been made. SENT: 230 words, graphic.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — South Korea says that it will tighten social distancing rules in the greater Seoul area and some parts of eastern Gangwon province to try to suppress a coronavirus resurgence there. SENT: 350 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California businesses face new restrictions after months of ever-changing rules to stem the pandemic. SENT: 1,270 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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MISSILE DEFENSE TEST — In a first for the Pentagon’s push to develop defenses against intercontinental-range ballistic missiles capable of striking the United States, a missile interceptor launched from a U.S. Navy ship at sea hit and destroyed a mock ICBM in flight, officials say. By National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 400 words, photo.
BIDEN — Biden warns of dire consequences if Trump and his administration continue to refuse to coordinate with his transition team on the coronavirus pandemic and block briefings on national security, policy issues and vaccine plans. SENT: 990 words, photos, video. With BIDEN-STAFF — Biden filling out top White House team with campaign vets.
ELECTION-2020-PENNSYLVANIA — A hearing on the Trump campaign’s federal lawsuit seeking to prevent Pennsylvania officials from certifying the vote results remains on track after a judge quickly denied the campaign’s new lawyer’s request for a delay. SENT: 710 words, photo. UPCOMING: Hearing at 1:30 p.m.
ELECTION 2020-GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE — Georgia’s secretary of state is a man on an island, and the political flood is rising fast, as Trump and his allies vent their outrage at the fellow Republican over unsupported claims that mismanagement and fraud tainted the state’s presidential election. SENT: 950 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-NEVADA — As officials in Nevada’s most populous counties certified results of the Nov. 3 election, Trump took to Twitter with a new attack on the vote that gave Biden a 33,596-vote statewide victory. SENT: 590 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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NATO-US-AFGHANISTAN NATO — Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warns that the military organization could pay a heavy price for leaving Afghanistan too early, after a U.S. official says Trump is expected to withdraw a significant number of American troops from the conflict-ravaged country in coming weeks. SENT: 570 words.
EUROPE-US-POMPEO — U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo meets with the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians during a short trip to Turkey that has raised the ire of Turkish officials and includes no meetings with any of them. SENT: 490 words, photos.
ETHIOPIA-MILITARY-CONFRONTATION — Ethiopia’s prime minister says “the final and crucial” military operation will launch in the coming days against the government of the country’s rebellious northern Tigray region. SENT: 470 words, photos, graphic.
THAILAND-POLITICS — Thailand’s political battleground shifts from the streets to the country’s Parliament, where lawmakers are considering proposals to amend the constitution, one of the core demands of the nation’s student-led pro-democracy movement. SENT: 810 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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VATICAN-MCCARRICK-TAKEAWAYS — U.S. Catholic bishops are holding their annual fall assembly virtually this week with the Vatican’s recent report on the rise and fall of disgraced ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick one of their main topics for discussion. SENT: 880 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Global shares were mixed as optimism that a vaccine might soon control the coronavirus buoyed only some regional indexes. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 570 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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DIVERSITY HIRINGS — The NFL has implemented a seven-point mobility plan that it projects will lead to more diversity in coaching and front-office positions throughout a league in which about 70% of the players are minorities. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 900 words, photos.
LIONS-ABOUSHI’S PLATFORM — Oday Aboushi of the Detroit Lions wants to shed light on what he says is oppression of Palestinians and by promoting religious harmony as a Muslim with friends of different faiths. By Sports Writer Larry Lage. SENT: 880 words, photos, video.
TOKYO-BACH IOC — IOC President Thomas Bach says that he is “encouraging” all Olympic “participants” and fans to be vaccinated — if one becomes available — if they are going to attend next year’s Tokyo Olympics. By Sports Writer Stephen Wade. SENT: 620 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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