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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GEORGE HW BUSH — Former President George H.W. Bush is returning to Washington as a revered political statesman, hailed by leaders across the political spectrum and around the world as a man not only of greatness but also of uncommon decency and kindness. By Darlene Superville and John Rogers. SENT: 715 words, photos. With GEORGE HW BUSH-TEXAS — Although he was born on the East Coast, former Bush was the quintessential Texan. He found early success in the state's oil fields, helped change the landscape of Texas politics and loved Tex-Mex food. And in his adopted hometown of Houston, Bush and his wife Barbara, who died in April, endeared themselves to the city and its residents through their kindness, accessibility and support of charitable causes and local sport teams. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 4:30 p.m. See more coverage below.
TRUMP ABROAD-ANALYSIS — For the often-undisciplined president, whose past foreign trips have tended to be drama-filled affairs, the whirlwind trip to this year's Group of 20 summit was an unusual moment of zen. By Catherine Lucey and Zeke Miller. SENT: 1,100 words, photos. With G20-THE OUTCOME — Leaders of the world's largest economic powers have agreed to overhaul the global body that regulates trade disputes, but they faced resistance from Trump over the Paris accord on climate change (sent).
US-CHINA-TRADE WAR ON HOLD — The truce that Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping of China forged in their trade war over the weekend produced something as vague as it was valuable: an agreement to keep talking. Given widespread fears that a prolonged confrontation would imperil the global economy, the agreement amounted to a rare dose of encouraging news. Yet the path ahead will hardly be easy: The U.S. has serious complaints about technology policies that China considers crucial to its economic development. By Paul Wiseman. Upcoming: 850 words by 4 p.m.
TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE-COMEY — Former FBI Director James Comey has reached a deal to testify privately to the House Judiciary Committee, backing off his legal fight for an open hearing, his attorney said. By Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo. SENT: 280 words, photo. With TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE-CONGRESS — The top Democrat on the House intelligence committee says the testimony of former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone should be provided to special counsel Robert Mueller "for consideration of whether perjury charges are warranted." By Michael Balsamo. SENT: 430 words, photo.
FRANCE-GAS PRICE PROTESTS — French President Emmanuel Macron visits the graffiti-damaged Arc de Triomphe monument and held an emergency meeting on security, a day after central Paris was hit by France's worst riot in a generation. By Sylvie Corbet. SENT: 600 words, photos, video.
GENE-EDITED BABIES-FUTURE — Early last year, a little-known Chinese researcher turned up at an elite meeting in Berkeley, California, where scientists and ethicists were discussing a development that had shaken the field to its core — an emerging tool for "editing" genes, the strings of DNA that form the recipe book of life. The young scientist, He Jiankui, saw the power of this tool, called CRISPR, to transform not only genes, but also his own career. Last week shocked scientists watched as He hijacked an international conference they helped organize with an astonishing claim: He had brought forth the world's first gene-edited babies, despite clear consensus that nothing like this should be attempted at this point. Nobody stopped him. How can that be? By Marilynn Marchione and Christina Larson. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. This story is this week's Monday Spotlight.
CLIMATE — Negotiators from around the world began two weeks of talks on curbing climate change Sunday, three years after sealing a landmark deal in Paris that set a goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). SENT: 800 words, photos.
FBC--COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF — Oklahoma is in the College Football Playoff, moving into the fourth and final spot in the rankings after winning the Big 12 championship. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 400 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing. With FBC--BOWL DAY-THE LATEST; Separates on the New Year's Six bowls. Pairings announced at 3 p.m.
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MORE ON FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE HW BUSH
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GEORGE HW BUSH-KENNEBUNKPORT — Former President George H.W. Bush will be remembered for his jogs along the rocky coast, playing fast-paced golf, fishing from his speedboat and transforming this seaside village into the "Summer White House." But he'll also be remembered for lasting friendships in this town that he'd visited since he was a boy. By David Sharp. UPCOMING: 760 words, photos.
GEORGE HW BUSH-MARRIAGE — They met at a Christmas dance. She was 16. He was 17. Three years later they were married. The couple stayed together for 73 years, becoming the longest-married couple in presidential history. SENT: 800 words, photos.
GEORGE HW BUSH-BAKER — George H.W. Bush didn't lose his sense of humor even as he was letting go of life. His longtime friend, James A. Baker III, was at the former president's bedside as he took his final breaths. By Darlene Superville. SENT: 700 words, photos.
GEORGE HW BUSH-SOMALIA — In the final days of his presidency, Bush committed the U.S. military to a mission many would later regret, ordering more than 20,000 troops into Somalia to "save thousands of innocents from death." 700 words, photos.
See complete coverage in apnews.com/GeorgeHWBush
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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FBN--CHIEFS-HUNT APOLOGY — Running back Kareem Hunt acknowledges misleading the Kansas City Chiefs about his role in February assault in Cleveland hotel that ultimately led to his release this week. SENT: 550 words, photos.
SKIING-SANTAS — Santa's helpers are helping themselves to some pre-holiday skiing. SENT: 130 words.
FILM-BOX OFFICE — 'Ralph' repeats as No. 1, 'Crazy Rich Asians' flops in China. SENT: 650 words, photos.
OBIT-KEN BERRY — Ken Berry, an actor and dancer who played the affable and clumsy Capt. Wilton Parmenter in the 1960s sitcom "F Troop," has died. SENT: 140 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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REDRAWING AMERICA-MISSOURI — The movement against partisan gerrymandering has marked a new first in Missouri. An initiative approved in the midterm elections will make Missouri the first state to test a new mathematical formula to try to achieve partisan fairness and competitiveness in legislative redistricting. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
SHUTTING UP LEGISLATORS — The incoming Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House plans to do away with a master mute button that gave her Republican predecessor the power to silence lawmakers' microphones. SENT: 725 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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ISRAEL-NETANYAHU — Israeli police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges, adding a new element to a growing collection of legal troubles that have clouded the longtime leader's prospects for pursuing re-election next year. Netanyahu denied the latest allegations. SENT: 875 words, photo.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-AT THE BORDER — A village straddling the Russia-Ukraine border is hit hard by travel restrictions. SENT: 650 words, photos.
LEBANON GHOSN — He may have fallen from grace internationally as one of the auto industry's most powerful leaders but Carlos Ghosn can count on continued support in at least one corner of the globe. Lebanese have long held hopes that Ghosn, who was born to Lebanese grandparents and holds extensive investment projects in the country, would play a bigger role in politics one day or help salvage its increasingly struggling economy. Now, politicians across the board are mobilizing for his defense. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
AFRICA-WILDLIFE FILMS — A documentary film about rhino poaching won awards at film festivals in Europe and the United States this year. But since bringing "STROOP: journey into the rhino horn war" home to South Africa, its makers have struggled for the same buzz in a country whose rhino population, the biggest in the world, has been under siege for a decade. SENT: 850 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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EL CHAPO-PROSECUTION — The U.S. trial of the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo" has offered a vivid look at excesses and lawlessness during his rise to power. SENT: 750 words, photos.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE — Authorities are lifting evacuation orders for some Northern California communities ravaged by the state's deadliest wildfire but say no traffic will be allowed into the town of Paradise. SENT: 250 words, photos.
MARIJUANA-MICHIGAN-NEWS GUIDE — Michigan to be first Midwest state to allow recreational pot. SENT: 580 words, photos.
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING-HANNUKAH — A community Hannukah candle lighting ceremony is planned at the Tree of Life, the Pittsburgh synagogue that was the scene of the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the U.S. UPCOMING: Story planned after 6 p.m. event.
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SPORTS
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ANTI-SEMITISM-JEWISH ATHLETES — Julian Edelman has tried to tune else everything out when he's playing football, even when opposing fans shouted anti-Semitic comments at him. But after a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the New England Patriots receiver wore an Israeli baseball cap for his postgame interviews as a sign of support for the victims. In the month since the massacre, Jewish athletes said they were shocked by the shooting yet not concerned for their own safety as they travel, train and compete. By Jimmy Golen. SENT: 880 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Ron DePasquale can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, 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@ap.org or call 877-836-9477.
