AP News Digest 3:35 a.m.

APTOPIX Biden (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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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BIDEN — Declaring “America is back,” President-elect Joe Biden introduced his national security team his first substantive offering of how he’ll shift from Trump-era “America First” policies by relying on experts from the Democratic establishment to be some of his most important advisers. By Alexandra Jaffe, Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani. SENT: 1,270 words photos, videos.

BIDEN TRANSITION-ANALYSIS — Competence is making a comeback. Biden has prized staying power over star power in his first wave of Cabinet picks and choices for White House staff, with a premium placed on government experience and proficiency as he looks to rebuild a depleted and demoralized federal bureaucracy. By Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-RURAL KANSAS — The cancellation of the beloved Christmas Drawing in Norcatur, Kansas, shines a spotlight on a global coronavirus pandemic that has reached deep into rural America. By Roxana Hegeman. SENT: 700 words, photos.

ETHIOPIA-MILITARY-CONFRONTATION — Ethiopia’s prime minister is rejecting a growing international consensus for dialogue and a halt to deadly fighting in the country’s Tigray region as “interference,” saying his country will handle the conflict on its own as a 72-hour surrender ultimatum runs out. By Cara Anna. SENT: 230 words, photos.

CHINA-EXPLAINING FOOD FEAR — China says it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food, but how valid are its claims and how serious is the threat to public health? Experts say they generally don’t consider the presence of the virus on packaging to be a significant risk. SENT: 630 words, photos.

PAKISTAN-TRANSGENDER CHURCH — Pakistan’s Christian transgender people, often mocked, abused and bullied, say they have found peace and solace in a church of their own. Shunned by other churches, they can raise their voices high here. By Kathy Gannon. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.

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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

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MEXICO-AROZARENA-ARRESTED — Tampa Bay outfielder Arozarena arrested in Mexico’s Yucatan. SENT: 250 words, photos.

VANITY-LICENSE-PLATE-LAWSUIT — Judge: California can’t ban offensive license plates. SENT: 350 words, photo.

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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK

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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — With California desperately battling an out-of-control coronavirus surge, the state’s health secretary is urging families to avoid gathering for Thanksgiving and Los Angeles County appeared on the brink of issuing a stay-home order to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. SENT: 730 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-GERMANY — German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the country’s 16 state governors are expected to extend a partial shutdown well into December and discuss tightening some restrictions while allowing somewhat more generous rules for the Christmas period. SENT: 280 words, photo. UPCOMING: Meeting begins at 8 a.m.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-MIGRANT NURSE — A migrant’s odyssey from boat to COVID-19 nursing job in Spain. SENT: 810 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — India has registered 44,376 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. SENT: 140 words, photos.

Find more coverage on the Virus Outbreak on the featured topic page in AP Newsroom.

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INTERNATIONAL

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INDIA-RELIGIOUS-CONVERSIONS — India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party has approved legislation in the country’s most populous state that lays out a prison term of up to 10 years for anyone found guilty of using marriage to force someone to change religion. SENT: 690 words, photo.

ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN — The Azerbaijani army has entered the Kalbajar region, one more territory ceded by Armenian forces in a truce that ended deadly fighting over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry says. SENT: 290 words.

THAILAND-PROTESTS — Thai authorities have escalated their legal battle against the students leading pro-democracy protests, charging 12 of them with violating a harsh law against defaming the monarchy. SENT: 720 words, photos.

HONG KONG-POLICY ADDRESS — Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam lauds the city’s new national security law as “remarkably effective in restoring stability,” despite criticism that it is severely narrowing the space for free speech and political opposition in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory. SENT: 560 words, photos.

MEXICO-VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN — Activists and crime victims have occupied a colonial-era building in downtown Mexico City because they say the government has been slow to protect or support women who have suffered abuse or help them find their missing loved ones. SENT: 370 words, photos.

JAPAN-CHINA — Japan used a visit by the Chinese foreign minister to protest Beijing’s increased activity and what it calls infiltration around disputed East China Sea islands. SENT: 350 words, photos.

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares mostly rose after the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 30,000 points for the first time despite an ongoing pandemic, as progress in development of coronavirus vaccines kept investors in a buying mood. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 570 words, photos. With FINANCIAL MARKETS-EXPLAINING DOW 30000 — Why the Dow topped 30,000 for the first time.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MUSIC-GRAMMY-NOMINATIONS-BLACK-SONGS — Beyoncé knew she wanted to release a song on Juneteenth — so she dropped “Black Parade,” an anthemic jam where she proudly sings about her heritage, hometown and returning to her African roots. By Music Writer Mesfin Fekadu. SENT: 960 words, photos. With MUSIC-GRAMMY-NOMINATIONS-THE-WEEKND — The Weeknd criticizes Grammys over nominations snub.

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SPORTS

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JETS-MARTY’S MISSION — Former New York Jets defensive lineman and longtime radio broadcaster Marty Lyons has been on a mission for 38 years and counting to fulfill the wishes of children who have been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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