AP News Digest 3:30 a.m.

(Independent)

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.

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DEVELOPING

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POLAND-POLITICS — Polish ruling party forming minority government, rejects partners. SENT: 70 words, photo.

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TOP STORIES

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ELECTION 2020-MINNESOTA — Donald Trump almost won Minnesota in 2016 and sees it as a state he can peel away from Joe Biden in November. But Minnesota has steadily moved farther away from the president since then, and polls suggest Biden has built a consistent lead as both he and Trump visit Friday. By Will Weissert and Kathleen Hennessey. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.

ELECTION 2020-BIDEN — Biden derides Trump for his handling of COVID-19, calling his downplaying of the pandemic “criminal” and his administration “totally irresponsible.” Biden spoke at an unusual event: a drive-in of 35 cars near his Pennsylvania hometown of Scranton. By Alexandra Jaffe, Lisa Mascaro and Will Weissert. SENT: 940 words, photos.

Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-UNIVERSITIES — Can mandatory masks offer enough protection in lecture halls so packed that late arrivals have to sit on the floor? That’s what worries many students at the centuries-old Sorbonne University in Paris as the coronavirus is on the rebound across France. By Sylvie Corbet and Danica Kirka. SENT: 950 words, photos.

THAILAND-PROTESTS — A two-day rally planned this weekend is jangling nerves in Bangkok, with apprehension about how far student demonstrators will go in pushing demands for reform of Thailand’s monarchy and how the authorities might react. By Tassanee Vejpongsa. SENT: 670 words, photos.

LOUISIANA POLICE DEATH-FEDERAL PROBE — Graphic photos that surfaced online this week appear to show deep bruises on the face of a Black man who died following a police chase in Louisiana last year, raising new questions about whether his injuries were caused by the crash that ended the chase or an ensuing struggle with state troopers. By Jim Mustian. SENT: 800 words, photos.

OBIT-WINSTON-GROOM — Winston Groom, the writer whose novel “Forrest Gump” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop cultural phenomenon, has died at age 77. SENT: 730 words, photos.

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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK

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VIRUS OUTBREAK-ISRAEL — Israel is set to go back into a full lockdown to try to contain a coronavirus outbreak that has steadily worsened for months as its government has been plagued by indecision and infighting. SENT: 520 words, photos.

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ASIA — India’s coronavirus cases jump by another 96,424 infections in the past 24 hours, showing little sign of leveling. SENT: 650 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CONFLICT-AND-FAMINE — The World Food Program chief warns that millions of people are closer to starvation because of the deadly combination of conflict, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic and he urges donor nations and billionaires to help feed them and ensure their survival. SENT: 460 words, photos.

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

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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

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FRENCH-OPEN-OSAKA-OUT — Osaka says she’s out of French Open with injured hamstring. SENT: 220 words, photos.

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-HEMINGWAY-BAR — Hemingway’s favorite Key West bar reopens from virus closure. SENT: 280 words, photos.

CHEER-CHILD PORNOGRAPHY — “Cheer” star Jerry Harris arrested on child porn charges. SENT: 500 words, photo.

PORTLAND SUSPECT KILLED — Police: Portland killing suspect pointed gun at officers. SENT: 210 words.

INDIA-APPLE-ONLINE-STORE — Apple to launch first online store in India next week. SENT: 140 words.

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WASHINGTON/ POLITICS/2020 ELECTION

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ELECTION 2020-TRUMP — Trump steps up his rhetoric on cultural issues, aiming to boost enthusiasm among rural Wisconsin voters. SENT: 700 words, photos.

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NATIONAL

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TROPICAL-WEATHER — Rescuers on the Gulf Coast used boats and high-water vehicles to reach people cut off by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, even as a second round of flooding took shape along rivers and creeks swollen by the storm’s heavy rains. SENT: 990 words, photos, video.

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INTERNATIONAL

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AFGHANISTAN-THREATS — The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan warns that extremists groups are planning attacks against a “variety of targets” but are taking particular aim at women. SENT: 700 words, photos.

PERU-POLITICAL-CRISIS — Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra’s job is on the line as opposition lawmakers push through an impeachment hearing criticized as a hasty and poorly timed ouster attempt in one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 740 words, photos.

TAIWAN-US — The second high-level U.S. envoy to visit Taiwan in two months begins a day of closed-door meetings as China conducts military drills near the Taiwan Strait after threatening retaliation. SENT: 570 words, photos.

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY/TECH

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FINANCIAL MARKETS — Asian shares were mostly higher despite some investor attention shifting again to the uncertainties in global economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, as reflected in the overnight fall on Wall Street. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 570 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Wally Santana (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.