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 in AP Newsroom.
——————————
Click to Gallery
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 in AP Newsroom.
A demonstrator protesting near the Capitol during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives to speak to a joint meeting of Congress to seek support for Israel's fight against Hamas and other adversaries, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. He is joined on the dais by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin, D-Md. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Indianapolis International Airport, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. Harris is in Indianapolis to give a keynote speech at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s Grand Boul' event. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via AP)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
ONLY ON AP
——————————
DEA-FILES-RAPE-ACCUSATION — In a WhatsApp chat that quickly devolved into depravity, a group of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents boasted about their “world debauchery tour” of “boozing and whoring” on the government’s dime. They swapped lurid images of their latest sexual conquests. And at one point they even joked about “forcible anal rape.” Within months of that jaw-dropping exchange, an agent in the group chat was accused of that very crime. SENT: 2,630 words, photos. WITH: DEA-FILES-RAPE-ACCUSATION-TAKEAWAYS.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-INVESTIGATING-OLENIVKA — Former Ukrainian prisoners of war who survived the explosions two years ago in the Russian-held barracks at Olenivka still puzzle over the strange events leading up to that night. More than 50 Ukrainians died and dozens were wounded. An Associated Press investigation that included more than a dozen interviews with survivors, family and investigators found that all described evidence they believe points directly to Russia as the culprit. By Susie Blann and Hanna Arhirova. SENT: 2,110 words, photos. With RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-INVESTIGATING OLENIVKA-TAKEAWAYS.
PRISON-TO-PLATE-INMATE-LABOR-HEAT — As daily temperatures hit record highs across much of the South, a federal judge has taken an unusual step, challenging the treatment of mostly Black incarcerated workers in the fields. America’s largest maximum-security prison, known as Angola, sits on 18,000 acres in Louisiana. It was once a slave plantation. Prisoners have toiled on the same farm lines since after emancipation, often without shade, adequate work breaks or even sunscreen. Several incarcerated workers along with an advocacy group filed a class-action lawsuit calling for an end to the farm line. By Margie Mason and Robin McDowell. SENT: 1,230 words, photos.
——————————
TOP STORIES
——————————
BIDEN-HARRIS-NETANYAHU — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his a long-awaited White House visit to meet with President Joe Biden and likely Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris at an important moment for all three politicians. Netanyahu’s White House visit Thursday comes during growing pressure on all three leaders to find an endgame to Israel’s war in Gaza and engineer the return of hostages held there. By Aamer Madhani. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, audio. Developing. WITH: ISRAEL-NETANYAHU-SPEECH — Israelis watched Netanyahu’s Congress speech closely. (sent)
ELECTION 2024-TRUMP — Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of attack lines against his likely new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he called his “new victim to defeat” and accused of deceiving the public about President Joe Biden’s ability to run for a second term. By Meg Kinnard and Adriana Gomez Licon. SENT: 990 words, photos, audio.
REL-ELECTION-2024-HARRIS-RELIGIOUS-FAITH — Black clergy who know Vice President Kamala Harris, now the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, marvel at the fusion of traditions and teachings that have molded her religious faith and social justice values. A Baptist married to a Jewish man, she’s inspired by work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church. By Darren Sands. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
VENEZUELA-ELECTION-MIGRANTS — The prolonged economic and political instability in Venezuela has forced millions of Venezuelans to leave over the past decade, quashing many of their dreams and leaving many wondering if they’ll ever return to what was once South America’s most prosperous country. Refugee agency UNHCR estimates more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, the largest exodus in Latin America’s recent history. By Astrid Suarez, Nayara Batschke, Teresa Medrano and Gisela Salomon. SENT: 1,430 words, photos.
PARIS-OLYMPICS-PREVIEW — Paris has long been a city of dreamers: Just look at the Eiffel Tower, for decades the world’s loftiest structure. Audacity also underpins the French capital’s plans for its first Olympic Games in a century, which open Friday with an opening ceremony for the ages. By John Leicester. SENT: 1,130 words, photos. WITH: OPENING-CEREMONY-GUIDE — How to watch the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony. (sent).
—————————————————
SPOTLIGHTING VOICES
—————————————————
WEXTON-HOUSE-AI SPEECH — A rare neurological disorder robbed Rep. Jennifer Wexton of her ability to speak clearly. But with the help of a powerful artificial intelligence program, the Virginia Democrat used a clone of her voice to deliver what is believed to be the first speech on the House floor ever given via a voice cloned by artificial intelligence, thrusting Wexton into a broader debate over artificial intelligence. By Dan Merica. SENT: 1,790 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 780 words is also available.
CHURCH-HOMELESS-TRAILERS — An evangelical church is suing a Colorado town to be able to continue allowing homeless people to stay in two camping trailers behind its building. The Rock church in Castle Rock started providing the temporary shelter about six years ago but last year the town ordered it to stop. Echoing arguments made by other churches trying to serve the homeless from Oregon to Ohio, the church’s federal lawsuit argues helping those in need is an essential part of the Christian faith and religious activity protected by the Constitution. By Colleen Slevin. SENT: 1,180 words, photos, video.
——————————-
MORE NEWS
——————————
PETS-BEAT-THE-HEAT — As much of the world swelters, it’s not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family members as intense heat wave. SENT: 860 words, photos.
NORTH-KOREA-HACK-HOSPITALS — North Korean charged in ransomware attacks on American hospitals. SENT: 330 words.
AIRLINES-RESULTS — Southwest Airlines plans to drop the open-boarding system it has used for more than 50 years and will start assigning passengers to seats, just like all the other big airlines. SENT: 750 words, photos.
OLY-WPO-FLAVOR FLAV — Flavor Flav stopped for hugs, handshakes and high-fives as he made his way around the Team USA House at the Paris Olympics. SENT: 650 words, photos.
——————————————————
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
——————————————————
ELECTION 2024-HARRIS — Vice President Kamala Harris told Republicans to “bring it on” in what she described as a “fight for our most fundamental freedoms” as she spoke to the American Federation of Teachers. It was her latest stop in her whirlwind debut as the Democrats’ likely presidential nominee after President Joe Biden abruptly dropped his bid for a second term at the beginning of the week. By Josh Boak. SENT: 540 words, photos.
ELECTION-2024-HARRIS-ON-THE-ROAD — The first thing you notice about an event with Kamala Harris is the music. Joe Biden’s rock and Motown have faded from the playlist in favor of more pop and hip hop. And when Harris walks on stage, Beyoncé’s anthem “Freedom” blares. As for the substance, the focus has shifted from a laundry list of past accomplishments and toward a vision of the future, a word she used repeatedly this week. UPCOMING: 980 words, photos by 2 p.m.
ELECTION 2024-CONVENTION PLANNING — Organizers of next month’s Democratic National Convention are tossing out their script. The Democratic Party will have a new nominee, a recrafted program and less than a month to pull off what is normally planned over the course of a year. SENT: 990 words, photo. With ELECTION-2024-DNC — Democrats poised to virtually nominate Harris — and her running mate — by Aug. 7 — SENT.
CONGRESS-PRISON-REFORM — President Biden signed into law a bill strengthening oversight of the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons after reporting by The Associated Press exposed systemic corruption, failures and abuse in the federal prison system. SENT: 680 words, photo.
ELECTION 2024-AI-POLITICAL ADS — The Federal Communications Commission has advanced a proposal that would require political advertisers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in broadcast television and radio ads. SENT: 890 words, photo.
—————————
NATIONAL
—————————
CALIFORNIA-HOMELESS— California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to direct state agencies on how to remove homeless encampments. The order comes a month after a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces. Newsom’s order is aimed at the thousands of tents and makeshift shelters across the state that line freeways, clutter shopping center parking lots and fill city parks. SENT: 430 words, photos.
WILDFIRES — Rapidly growing wildfires prompted evacuations in Northern California, a day after powerful winds and lightning strikes in Oregon and Idaho cut power and stoked fires, including one in Oregon that was the largest active blaze in the United States. Another fast-moving wildfire forced thousands to abandon a town in Canada. SENT: 1,080 words, photos, video, audio.
UVALDE-SCHOOL-SHOOTING-INDICTMENTS — A former Uvalde, Texas, school police officer who was part of the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School pleaded not guilty during a court appearance. SENT: 630 words, photos.
––––––––––———––––
INTERNATIONAL
––––––––––———––––
UGANDA-DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE — A nonprofit group in rural Uganda says domestic violence is so widespread that it’s hard to find a woman who isn’t affected. It has launched a campaign to educate communities and also to instill fear in abusers. An accused perpetrator is asked to sign a “reconciliation form” in which they pledge never to commit the same offense. It can be used as evidence if the agreement is breached. But few cases are ever taken to police. SENT: 1,090 words, photos, video.
———————————————-
HEALTH & SCIENCE
———————————————-
SCI-BOEING-ASTRONAUT-LAUNCH — Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said. SENT: 270 words, photos.
CLIMATE-COOLING-INDUSTRY — Due to warmer temperatures and increasing urbanization, the market for cooling systems is expanding in Africa. But the chemicals that make air conditioning and refrigeration work are very potent at heating the planet, and an older one called R-22, which is still very common in Africa, is also harmful to the ozone layer. SENT: 1,210 words, photos.
WIND-PROMISES AND PERCEPTIONS — An Associated Press analysis of county tax data across three states — Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska — found wind companies rank among the biggest taxpayers in many rural communities, with their total tax bills at times outstripping that of large farms, power plants and other major businesses. SENT: 1,160 words, photos, videos.
—————————————
PARIS OLYMPICS
—————————————
OLY-PARIS-MACRON’S BIG MOMENT — Emmanuel Macron has pledged to make France shine during the Olympics. Weaker than ever at home after recent elections, the French president hopes the Paris Games also will help his own star glitter again. SENT: 930 words, photos.
OLY-TENNIS-DRAW — Top-seeded Novak Djokovic could meet his longtime rival Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Paris Olympic tennis tournament. Djokovic was drawn against Australian Matthew Ebden and Nadal faces Hungaraian Marton Fucsovics, with the winners of those matches meeting in Round 2. SENT: 660 words, photos.
You can find Summer Olympics 2024-The Daily Rundown in your CMS or in AP Newsroom.
——————————————
HOW TO REACH US
——————————————
At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1600. For photos, Donald E. King ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.
11-year-old Guillaume Valot from Toulon walks with a French flag before the start of the men's Group A soccer match between France and the United States at the Velodrome stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
A demonstrator protesting near the Capitol during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives to speak to a joint meeting of Congress to seek support for Israel's fight against Hamas and other adversaries, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. He is joined on the dais by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin, D-Md. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives at Indianapolis International Airport, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. Harris is in Indianapolis to give a keynote speech at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.'s Grand Boul' event. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via AP)
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
