AP News Digest 7:05 a.m.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. Find the AP’s top photos of the day in Today’s Photo Collection. For up-to-the-minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan in AP Newsroom.

——————————————

NEW/DEVELOPING

——————————————

AT&T-DIRECTV — AT&T is selling its majority stake in DirecTV to private equity firm TPG Partners for $7.6 billion, ending the communication giant’s remaining ties to the entertainment industry. SENT: 120 words, photo, developing.

——————————

ONLY ON AP

——————————

ELECTION-2024-VANCE-INFRASTRUCTURE — JD Vance once criticized a bipartisan 2021 law that invested billions in America’s crumbling infrastructure. He called it a “huge mistake” that spent taxpayer dollars on “really crazy stuff.” But the first-term Ohio senator and Republican vice-presidential nominee has still sought more than $200 million in funding through the law. By Brian Slodysko. SENT: 880 words, photo.

——————————

TOP STORIES

——————————

MIDEAST-TENSIONS — Hezbollah’s deputy leader vowed to continue fighting Israel and said the militant group was prepared for a long war after much of its top command was wiped out, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Naim Kassem said in a televised statement that if Israel decides to launch a ground offensive, Hezbollah fighters are ready to fight and defend Lebanon. By Abby Sewell and Natalie Melzer. SENT: 830 words, photos, video. With ISRAEL-POLITICS — Israel’s Netanyahu strengthens his hold on office by adding a rival to his Cabinet; HEZBOLLAH-LEBANON-ISRAEL — Who were the seven high-ranking Hezbollah officials killed over the past week?; MIDEAST-TENSIONS-YEMEN — Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim shooting down another U.S.-made drone; ISRAEL-LEBANON-WHAT TO KNOW; and MIDEAST TENSIONS-THE-LATEST — Israeli strike hits apartment building in central Beirut — SENT.

TROPICAL-WEATHER — North Carolina officials pledged to get more water and other supplies to flood-stricken areas by Monday after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast and the death toll from the storm rose to nearly 100. At least 91 people across several states were killed. A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported 30 people killed. By Kate Payne, Jeffrey Collins and Patrick Whittle. SENT: 1,100 words, photos, videos, audio. With TROPICAL-WEATHER-BIDEN — Biden says he hopes to visit Helene-impacted areas this week if it doesn’t impact emergency response; and HURRICANE-HELENE:-PHOTO-COLLECTION — SENT.

ELECTION-2024-HARRIS — Vice President Kamala Harris poked at Donald Trump over crowd sizes, his refusal to debate again and his privileged background as she hauled in campaign cash in California and held a raucous rally at the same Nevada venue where the Republican nominee had appeared just two weeks ago. By Will Weissert and Colleen Long. SENT: 840 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-TRUMP — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, by repeating an insult that she was “mentally impaired” while also saying she should be “impeached and prosecuted.” By Adriana Gomez Licon and Colleen Long. SENT: 1,010 words, photos. With IMMIGRATION-DETENTION-DATA-EXPLAINER — Trump is pointing to new numbers on migrants with criminal pasts. Here’s what they show — SENT.

AUSTRIA-ELECTIONS — The Freedom Party secured the first far-right national parliamentary election victory in post-World War II Austria, finishing ahead of the governing conservatives after tapping into anxieties about immigration, inflation, Ukraine and other issues. But its chances of governing were unclear. By Stephanie Liechtenstein. SENT: 870 words, photos, videos, audio.

SHRIMP-INDUSTRY-EXPLOITATION — An investigation focused on three of the world’s largest shrimp producers' claims that as big Western supermarkets make windfall profits, their aggressive pursuit of ever-lower wholesale prices is causing misery for people on the bottom end of the supply chain. The regional analysis of the industry in Vietnam, Indonesia and India found a 20%-60% drop in earnings from pre-pandemic levels as producers struggle to meet pricing demands by cutting labor costs. By David Rising. SENT: 1,590 words, photos. With SHRIMP-INDUSTRY-EXPLOITATION-TAKEAWAYS — SENT.

——————————-

MORE NEWS

——————————

OBIT-KRIS-KRISTOFFERSON — Kris Kristofferson, singer-songwriter and actor, dies at 88. SENT: 1,490 words, photos, video. An abridged version is available.

SPACEX-STUCK-ASTRONAUTS — Stuck NASA astronauts welcome SpaceX capsule that’ll bring them home next year. SENT: 480 words, photos.

WYOMING-WOLF-KILLING — Wyoming considers slight change to law allowing wolves to be killed with vehicles. SENT: 600 words, photo.

WILDLIFE-TRAFFICKING-GIANT-SHEEP — A Montana man will be sentenced for cloning giant sheep to breed large sheep for captive trophy hunts. SENT: 590 words, photo.

——————————————————

WASHINGTON/POLITICS

——————————————————

ELECTION 2024-DEBATE-WHAT TO WATCH — Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz meet Tuesday in the lone vice presidential debate of the 2024 election, bringing together undercards who have spent two months going after each other and the opposing nominees who top the major party tickets. SENT: 1,160 words, photo. With ELECTION-2024-DEBATE-EXPLAINER — Why Tuesday’s vice presidential debate could matter more than history suggests — SENT.

ELECTION 2024-ELECTION RULES-GEORGIA — Two controversial new rules passed by Georgia’s State Election Board concerning the certification of vote tallies are set to face their first test in court. Democrats filed a legal challenge and argue the rules could be used “to upend the statutorily required process for certifying election results in Georgia.” SENT: 890 words, photos.

ELECTION-2024-ARIZONA-SENATE — If Ruben Gallego is going to give Democrats their fourth straight U.S. Senate victory in Arizona, he’s probably going to need support from an unlikely group: Donald Trump voters. Gallego and his GOP rival, former television news anchor Kari Lake, are both targeting undecided Republicans in a contest that will test the strength of Trump’s coattails. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.

————————-

NATIONAL

————————

CHEMICAL-PLANT-FIRE — Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place to avoid contaminants from a chemical plant fire that sent a massive plume of dark smoke high into the sky that could be seen from miles away. SENT: 490 words, photos, video.

WILDFIRE-FLAREUP-CALIFORNIA — California residents near a wildfire that is largely contained have been ordered to evacuate after the blaze in San Bernardino County flared up. SENT: 180 words, photo.

CALIFORNIA-AI-DEEPFAKES-CHILDREN — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of proposals aiming to help shield minors from the increasingly prevalent misuse of artificial intelligence tools to generate harmful sexual imagery of children. SENT: 580 words, photo. With CALIFORNIA-AI-REGULATIONS — California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measures — SENT.

—————————————

INTERNATIONAL

—————————————

NEPAL-FLOODING — The number of people killed by flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall over the weekend in Nepal has reached 193 while recovery and rescue work has been stepped up, officials said. SENT: 260 words, photos.

ASIA-TYPHOON — A powerful typhoon was lashing the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting officials to evacuate villagers, shut down schools and inter-island ferries and warn of “potentially very destructive” damage to coastal villages. SENT: 400 words.

JAPAN-POLITICS — Shigeru Ishiba, the head of Japan’s governing party, plans to call a parliamentary election to be held on Oct. 27 after he is elected as prime minister on Tuesday. SENT: 370 words, photos.

FRANCE-FAR-RIGHT-TRIAL — The stakes are high for Marine Le Pen as she and other officials from the French far-right party National Rally go on trial over accusations of embezzling European Union funds. SENT: 1,000 words, photo.

KASHMIR-INDIA-ELECTION — Ahead of the final phase of a local election in Indian-controlled Kashmir, a key resistance leader says the regional polls to choose a local government will not resolve the decades-old conflict that is at the heart of a dispute between New Delhi and Pakistan. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the polls are being held as political voices contesting India’s sovereignty over the region remain silenced. SENT: 800 words, photos.

VIETNAM-BOAT-ATTACKED — A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, and 10 crew members were injured, Vietnamese state media said. SENT: 420 words, photo.

BRITAIN-GOODBYE-TO-COAL — Britain’s last coal-fired power plant will close, ending 142 years of coal-generated electricity in the nation that sparked the Industrial Revolution. SENT: 370 words, photos.

————————————

BUSINESS/TECH

————————————

FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Global markets had a wild start to the week, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index tumbling nearly 5% while Chinese markets soared on news of fresh stimulus for the faltering economy, with Shanghai up more than 8%. SENT: 680 words, photos. With CHINA-ECONOMY — China factory surveys show economy weakening, as Beijing steps up support — SENT.

——————————

SPORTS

—————————

OAKLAND’S-FINAL-DAY — The name Oakland being attached to the Athletics ended Sunday after the final out of their season finale against the Seattle Mariners. When the 2025 season begins, the A’s will still exist, but the name Oakland will no longer be there. SENT: 660 words, photos.

——————————————

HOW TO REACH US

——————————————

The Nerve Center 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 AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.

India's Virat Kohli, right, plays a shot on the fourth day of the second cricket test match between Bangladesh and India in Kanpur, India, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Participants paint each other's faces in preparation for a homemade gravity-powered vehicles race in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Erie, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris gets ready to board Air Force Two, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Families sleep on Beirut's corniche after fleeing the Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A photographer documents damage in a building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Damaged buildings at the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

People check the site of the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's southern suburbs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he will visit Hurricane Helene-impacted areas this week as long as it does not disrupt rescue and recovery operations.

Biden was briefed again on Sunday evening about the impact of the devastating storm on an enormous swath of the Southeast. In a brief exchange with reporters, he described the impact of the storm as “stunning” and said that the administration is giving states “everything we have” to help with their response to the storm.

Biden planned to speak about the administration's response efforts in remarks from the White House on Monday.

The White House also said Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the storm-ravaged areas "as soon as it is possible without disrupting emergency response operations.” At a Las Vegas rally Sunday night, Harris spoke about the impact of Helene, saying, “I know everyone here sends their thoughts and prayer for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane.”

She added: “We will stand with these communities for as long as it takes and make sure they are able to rebuild.”

Harris was spending Sunday night in Las Vegas and had planned campaign stops in the city on Monday. But her office announced that she’d instead head back to Washington earlier than expected and will attend a briefing on the damage caused by Helene at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported earlier Sunday that 30 people were killed due to the storm, pushing the overall death toll to at least 91 people across several states.

Biden on Sunday evening made calls to several state and local government officials in areas impacted by the hurricane, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp; North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Valdosta, Georgia Mayor Scott Matheson; and Taylor County, Florida Emergency Management Director John Louk.

Biden told the officials the administration “will continue providing support to impacted communities — for as long as it takes," according to the White House.

Biden, who spent much of the weekend at his beach house in Delaware, has received frequent updates on the storm from FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall and other officials. Harris received similar briefings while on board Air Force Two, according to the White House.

The White House said Biden directed Criswell to figure out what can be done to accelerate support to isolated communities that are having difficulty accessing assistance.

Former President Donald Trump's campaign announced earlier Sunday he'll visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to survey Helene’s impact on that state, one of several hotly contested battlegrounds that will be pivotal in the November presidential election.

Trump is expected to receive a briefing, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies and deliver remarks during the visit, according to his campaign.

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base, in Dover, Del., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, to return to Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)