AP News Digest 7:30 am

Here are AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories, and promoteable content. Always EST. For the latest information on AP press coverage, please visit our press program at https://newsroom.ap.org.

________________

top story

________________

VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried to awaken Christianity In secularized Europe, he will forever be remembered as the first pope to step down in 600 years. Benedict’s February 11, 2013, dramatic announcement that he was no longer in power to run a strong Catholic Church of 1.3 billion people paved the way for a conclave to elect Pope Francis as his successor. I was. By Nicole Winfield. SENT: 1,800 words, photos and videos. Upcoming summary. VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI-THE LATEST, VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI-DEVELOPMENTS.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — for millions of Ukrainians, many of them Russia New Year’s celebrations go quiet as artillery strikes and grappling with power and water shortages put Russia’s 10-month-long war in sight of an end. Afterwards, even if it’s only for a short time, it’s a chance to meet again. By Renata Brito. SENT: 610 words, pictures.

New Year — Major cities in Asia-Pacific welcome the first New Year without COVID-19 restrictions since the pandemic began in 2020 with countdowns and fireworks. In China, countries have largely lifted quarantine requirements, visitor restrictions, and relentless inspections that restrict where people can travel and where they can go. Send: 820 words, pictures. Updated throughout the day on feeds around the world.

Four dead colleges in Idaho — The arrest of a suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students last month brought relief to the small college community of Moscow, Idaho. . On Friday, authorities in eastern Pennsylvania arrested Brian Christopher, a 28-year-old Ph.D. A student in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at Washington State University. By Rebecca Boone, Mark Levy, and Michael Balsamo. Sent: 970 words, pictures.

2022 Election – Black Voters – Black voters have been a stable base for Democratic candidates for decades, but their support appears to show some cracks in this year’s election. It is backed by 14% of black voters, up from 8% in the midterm elections four years ago. APs VoteCast, an extensive national survey of voters. Many factors, such as voter turnout and candidate outreach, may be at play. By Ayanna Alexander and Gary Fields. SENT: 1,210 words, pictures.

Obit Barbara Walters — Barbara WaltersThe first woman to become a TV news superstar has died. she was 93 years old. Her death was announced by ABC on Friday night’s broadcast. Walters’ exclusive interviews for over 30 years on ABC, and her earlier on NBC, have brought her celebrity status with famous and powerful people. By Frasier Moore. Submit: 1,500 words, photos. WITH OBIT-BARBARA WALTERS-REAX — After the death of TV news pioneer and creator of The View, Barbara Walters, the world of journalism, politics, sports and entertainment was inundated with reactions. Sent: 730 words, pictures.

______________________________________

Details of the death of Benedict XVI

______________________________________

VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI-A LIFE — He’s a reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who prefers lonely walks in the Alps and Mozart’s piano concertos to the glare and majesty of the masses. I was. Vatican Pageantry.When Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI and followed in the footsteps of his beloved and charismatic predecessor, he said he felt the guillotine befall him. until

VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI-CHRONOLOGY — Key dates in the life of Joseph Ratzinger, future Pope Benedict XVI. Send: 850 words, pictures.

VATICAN-OBIT-BENEDICT XVI-HIGHLIGHTS — Highlights of Benedict’s pre-, during- and post-Popal career. By Nicole Winfield. Send: 800 words, pictures.

Vatican – Obito – Benedict XVI – Two Popes — If ever there was a moment that embodied the surreal novelty created by the first papal resignation in 600 years, it was on the morning of March 23, 2013. I was. A pope’s summer resort south of Rome, greeted at the heliport by the previous Pope Benedict XVI, who had moved there three weeks earlier. The moment encapsulated Benedict’s sudden resignation and the risk that everything went wrong. SENT: About 1,300 words, pictures.

________________

trend

________________

Mega Millions Jackpot — The first Mega Millions draw of the new year is going to be big as no one wins Friday night’s estimated $685 million jackpot. Send: 200 words, pictures.

SOC–AL NASSR-RONALDO — Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr in a landmark deal in Middle Eastern football. Sent: 430 words, pictures.

———————————————————

Washington/Politics

———————————————————-

Abortion-Arizona — An Arizona court has ruled that abortion doctors cannot be prosecuted under state laws that criminalize nearly all abortions. Sent: 740 words, pictures.

Biden — After disappearing for two days while on vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, President Joe Biden went out for golf and dinner with his wife and grandchildren. Sent; 230 words, pictures.

———————————

Whole country

————————————

CALIFORNIA STORM — Rock and mud landslides have closed roads across California. Heavy rains start a series of storms ready to usher in the new year, which could bring heavy rains and flooding. SENT: 690 words, pictures.

Bill Cosby — A woman who claims Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1986 has sued New York comedian actor NBCUniversal and other companies. Another woman filed a similar lawsuit earlier this month. Sent: 540 Words.

—————————————-

International

——————————————

China-Xi Jinping — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said his country is on the “right side of history,” amid swirling questions about the government’s response to COVID-19 and its economic and political challenges. gave a speech. Send: 400 words, pictures.

South Korea – Tensions – North Korea has launched three short-range ballistic missiles into eastern waters. It’s the latest in a barrage of weapons tests this year, days after flying drones over South Korea to heighten tensions. Sent: 780 words, pictures.

Greece-Turkey-Analysis — Even by the standards of the often strained relationship between Turkey and Greece, it was a startling escalation. Turkey’s president has said new Turkish ballistic missiles will hit Athens if Greece “does not cool down”. The striking rhetoric has many questioning the reasons behind it and whether it could be a harbinger of even more alarming developments. SENT: 1,040 words, picture.

South Asia – Foodie Local — South Asian hotels and restaurants have had to adapt and rethink dining out since the pandemic hit the region, forcing many to go out of business. We are moving online with our sources. Sent: 740 words, pictures.

BRITAIN-SUNAK — UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Britain has had a difficult 12 months and the problem won’t be ‘going away’ in 2023. Send: 250 words, pictures.

Migrants – Libya — The eastern Libyan coast guard says it intercepted a vessel carrying at least 700 migrants off the coast of the North African country. Send: 320 words, pictures.

—————————————

business/technology

—————————————

Chinese Manufacturing — Chinese manufacturing contracted for the third straight month in December, the biggest drop since early 2020. This is as the country battles her COVID-19 surge across the country after a sudden easing of epidemic prevention measures. SENT: 260 words, pictures.

—————————

sports

——————————

FBC–CFP-PEACH BOWL PREVIEW — They are college gridiron giants, perennial powerhouses who have, surprisingly, faced off only once in their long history. Thirty years ago, in an era before the playoffs and his RPO, the NIL, Georgia defeated Ohio State in a bowl game, and it meant nothing more than bragging rights. They will play for even more prize money in Saturday’s Peach Bowl semifinals. Send: 800 words, pictures.

FBC–CFP-FIESTA BOWL PREVIEW — TCU Coach Sonny Dykes talks about the perfect opportunity to face the most winning program in college football history, No. 2 Michigan, in the Fiesta Bowl. A small private school that has bounced from conference to conference for 20 years, TCU meets the bluest blood in Saturday’s college football playoff semifinals. Sent: 750 words, photo.

______________________

Contact method

______________________

At the Neurological Center, you can contact Richard A. Somma at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). The photo is (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactive, ext. 7636. Extended AP content is available at http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, please contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.