AP News Digest 7 a.m.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. 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.

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WEEKEND COVERAGE

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For weekend stories, please click here for the Weekend Lookahead digest.

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TOP STORIES

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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-CRACKDOWN-ON-DISSENT — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel’s government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. By Sam McNeil. SENT: 980 words, photos.

ISRAEL-EMIRATES-MISSING-RABBI — Israel says the body of of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Zvi Kogan was murdered, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” By Tia Goldenberg and Jon Gambrell. SENT: 550 words, photos. With MIDEAST-WARS — Israeli strike on Lebanese army center kills soldier, wounds 18 others; and JORDAN-ISRAEL — Police in Jordan kill gunman in shootout near the Israeli Embassy — SENT.

TRUMP-PROJECT-2025 — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do.” Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 1,220 words, photos. With TRUMP-TRANSITION — Trump taps Brooke Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries; TRUMP-ROLLINS-THING-TO-KNOW; TRUMP-TRANSITION-HEALTH — A look at how some of Trump’s picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy’s overhaul; and TRUMP-TRANSITION-LABOR — Trump’s Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It’s a shift seen in his labor pick — SENT.

CLIMATE-COP29 — United Nations climate talks adopted a deal to inject at least $300 billion annually in humanity’s fight against climate change, aimed at helping developing nations cope with the ravages of global warming in tense negotiations. But it was not quite the agreement by consensus that these meetings usually operate with and some developing nations were livid about being ignored. By Seth Borenstein, Sibi Arasu, Melina Walling and Michael Phillis. SENT: 1,180 words, photos. With CLIMATE-COP29-DEAL-EXPLAINER — Here’s what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at U.N. climate talks — SENT.

SEVERE-WEATHER — Forecasters through the U.S. issued warnings that another round of winter weather could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, while California and Washington state continue to recover from storm damage and power outages. In California, where a person was found dead in a vehicle submerged in floodwaters, authorities braced for more precipitation while grappling with flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. By Gofredo A. Vasquez. SENT: 620 words, photos, videos, audio.

HAITI-MIRED-IN-CRISIS — When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission earlier this year to quell gang violence, hopes were high. But the crisis has only deepened since the international policing contingent arrived. At least 150 people were reported killed in the capital and 20,000 forced to flee their homes in the second week of November alone. Overall, more than 4,500 people were reported killed in Haiti so far this year, the U.N. said. By Dánica Coto. SENT: 1,160 words, photos.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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NIGERIA-TRANSPORT-NATURAL-GAS — Nigeria faces its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation after the government ended costly subsidies that made petrol affordable for many in Africa’s most populous country. Now the government is trying to cut transportation costs by almost 50% by tapping its huge natural gas reserves and aiming to convert a million vehicles. But the process has been slow, and misinformation and lack of infrastructure are major issues. Some drivers even fear their cars will explode. By Dyepkazah Shibayan. SENT: 970 words, photo, video.

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RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. SENT: 590 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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OBIT-CHUCK-WOOLERY — Chuck Woolery, the smooth-talking game show host of “Love Connection” and “Scrabble,” dies at 83. SENT: 1,200 words, photo.

F1-LAS-VEGAS — Verstappen captures his fourth F1 championship after a Mercedes sweep of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.

MANHATTAN-MEATPACKERS — He’ll be the last meatpacker in the Meatpacking District. Here’s how NYC’s gritty ’hood got chic. SENT: 750 words, photos, video.

JAPAN-WEASEL-SHOE THIEF — Stolen shoe mystery solved at Japanese kindergarten when security camera catches weasel in the act. SENT: 250 words.

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NATIONAL

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NORTHEAST-DROUGHT-CONSERVATION — The U.S. Northeast is experiencing an unusually severe and widespread drought during months that are typically the wettest. Experts say major changes need to happen to avoid future critical shortages of water. SENT: 840 words, photos.

POLICE-SHOOTING-LAS-VEGAS — A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls. SENT: 320 words, photo.

OBIT-FRED HARRIS — Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma, presidential hopeful and populist who championed Democratic Party reforms in the turbulent 1960s, died. He was 94. SENT: 1,110 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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PAKISTAN-LOCKDOWN — Pakistan says it is suspending mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. SENT: 310 words, photos.

JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA-SADO — Japan held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the issue of Korean forced laborers at the site before and during World War II. SENT: 680 words, photos. With JAPAN-SADO-EXPLAINER — Japan will hold first memorial for “all workers” at Sado gold mines but blurs WWII atrocity. Why? — SENT.

URUGUAY-ELECTION — Uruguayans began voting for their next president in a tight runoff election, with the conservative governing party and the left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff after failing to win an outright majority in last month’s vote. SENT: 800 words, photos.

ROMANIA-ELECTIONS — Romanians are casting ballots in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. SENT: 680 words, photos, video.

CAMBODIA-ENVIRONMENTALIST-ARRESTED — A prominent Cambodian environmentalist was arrested along with five others while investigating illegal logging in a national park, a rights group and a government official said. SENT: 310 words, photo.

AUSTRALIA-MISINFORMATION-BILL — Australia’s government has withdrawn a bill that would give a media watchdog power to monitor digital platforms and require them to keep records about misinformation and disinformation on their networks. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that the government was unable to drum up the support needed to pass the legislation. SENT: 160 words.

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SPORTS

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FBC-T25-BYU-ARIZONA-ST — Cam Skattebo ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns, Sam Leavitt threw for 247 yards and a score, and No. 21 Arizona State beat No. 14 BYU 28-23. Arizona State built a 28-9 by late in the third quarter, but BYU responded with two late touchdowns. SENT: 740 words, photos.

FBC-T25-ARMY-NOTRE-DAME — Jeremiyah Love scored three touchdowns, tying a school record with his 11th straight game with a rushing TD, and No. 6 Notre Dame ended No. 18 Army’s 13-game winning streak with a 49-14 victory at Yankee Stadium. SENT: 700 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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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.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, left, sprays champagne on race winner Mercedes driver George Russell, of Britain, after the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cows are seen at the largest dumpsite where textile waste ends up at Old Fadama in Accra, Ghana, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

Demonstrators march to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Tristan Millstone reacts as he steps in water after kayaking across a flooded section of Neely Road to buy groceries after a major storm in Guerneville, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Kevin Ozorkiewicz, left, and neighbor John Phillips row a canoe at the flooded Mirabel RV Park & Campground after a major storm in Forestville, Calif., Sonoma County, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel protest Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, in Umm al-Fahm, Israel, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinian citizens of Israel march against Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, in Umm al-Fahm, Israel, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff.

Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on Dec. 8. Polls opened at 7.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will close at 9.00 p.m. (1900GMT). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday.

By 2 p.m. (1200GMT), 4.8 million people — about 27% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau.

The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party or PSD.

The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments.

Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country's next government and prime minister.

Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a controversial figure. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighboring Ukraine.

“I would like that in the next five to ten years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.”

Ecaterina Nawadia, a 20-year-old architecture student, said she voted for the first time in a national election on Sunday and hopes young people turn out in high numbers.

“Since the (1989) revolution, we didn’t have a really good president,” she said. “I hope most of the people my age went to vote … because the leading candidate is not the best option.”

Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, says Sunday's vote will be "a tight race" in which the diaspora will likely play a key role in which candidates make it to the runoff.

“We are at a point where Romania can easily divert or slip toward a populist regime because (voter) dissatisfaction is pretty large among a lot of people from all social strata," he told The Associated Press. “And the temptation for any regime, any leader — will be to go on a populist road.”

He added that Romania's large budget deficit, high inflation, and an economic slowdown could push more mainstream candidates to shift toward populist stances amid widespread dissatisfaction.

Ciolacu told the AP that if he is elected, one of his biggest goals is “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries.

“Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life," he said. "But for this, we need balance and responsibility ... I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change.”

Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR; former NATO deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently; and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the center-right National Liberal Party, which is currently in a tense coalition with the PSD.

Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, told the AP that he believes his international experience qualifies him above the other candidates. “I think I bring a lot of competence and experience and connections in this complicated world,” he said.

Lasconi, a former journalist and the leader of the USR, said she sees corruption as one of the biggest problems Romania faces and that she supports increased defense spending and continued aid to Ukraine.

Romania has been a staunch ally of war-torn Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania — which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine — contributing further military aid and that he hopes Trump can “stop the war.”

In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Simion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies.

“We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe,” Simion said.

George Simion, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) candidate for president, smiles as his wife Ilinca caresses his face before casting her vote at a voting station during the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

An Orthodox nun exits a cabin after voting in the country's presidential elections, in Pasarea, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

George Simion, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) candidate for president, accompanies his wife Ilinca at a voting station during the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

An Orthodox nun casts her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Pasarea, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Elena Lasconi, the Save Romania Union (USR) party candidate for president, talks to media after casting her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A woman casts her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Elena Lasconi, the Save Romania Union (USR) party candidate for president, gestures as she casts her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party or PSD candidate in the country's presidential elections, peers from a voting cabin in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A woman prepares to cast her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A woman casts her vote in the country's presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, who runs as an independent candidate in the upcoming Nov. 24 presidential elections, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at his campaign headquarters in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Nicolae Ciuca, the National Liberal Party or PNL candidate in the upcoming Nov. 24 presidential elections, attends an event launching his presidential program in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man installs a large poster of Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party or PSD candidate in the upcoming Nov. 24 presidential elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu addresses delegates at the congress of the Social Democratic Party or PSD, which nominated him as the party's candidate in the upcoming Nov. 24 presidential elections in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

George Simion, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians or AUR candidate in the upcoming Nov. 24 presidential elections, attends a press conference with international media in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man walks by panels displaying electoral posters ahead of the Nov. 24 presidential elections in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A young man stands by panels displaying electoral posters ahead of the Nov. 24 presidential elections in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man rides a bicycle passing panels displaying electoral posters ahead of the Nov. 24 presidential elections in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)