AP News Digest 6 p.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.

————————————————-

WEEKEND COVERAGE

————————————————-

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

——————————————————

NEW & DEVELOPING

——————————————————-

ADDS: MIDEAST-WARS-SYRIAN-AMERICAN; ABORTION-PILLS-LAWSUIT ; ENT-TV-MALCOLM-IN-THE-MIDDLE; DRONE-FLIGHTS-NEW-JERSEY; ENT-SEXUAL-MISCONDUCT-NIGEL-LYTHGOE; JUSTICE DEPARTMENT-JAN 6-FACT FOCUS; BRITAIN-PRINCE ANDREW; ELON MUSK-OPEN AI; TRUMP-HUSH MONEY; TRUMP-DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME; SUPREME COURT-CALIFORNIA-AUTO EMISSIONS; DRONE FLIGHTS-NEW JERSEY BUZZ

———————————

ONLY ON AP

———————————

AP-POLL-TRUMP-CONFIDENCE — Americans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House. That’s according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. By Linley Sanders and Meg Kinnard. UPCOMING: 660 words, photo by 8 a.m.

———————————

TOP STORIES

———————————

ABORTION-PILLS-LAWSUIT — Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. The lawsuit was filed in Collin County, Texas, by the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday and announced Friday. It appears to be the first challenge anywhere in the U.S. to a shield law that Democratic-controlled states have been adopting to protect exactly this kind of prescription. By Sean Murphy, Michael Hill and Geoff Mulvihill. SENT: 820 words, photos, develiping.

MIDEAST-WARS-SYRIA — Thousands of Syrians gathered at Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, to celebrate after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the downfall of former President Bashar Assad. By Albert Aji and Matthew Lee. SENT: 1,110 words, photos. WITH: SYRIA-ASSAD-INNER-CIRCLE — Who was in ousted Syrian President Assad’s inner circle and where are they now?; MIDEAST-WARS-SYRIAN-AMERICAN — American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a U.S. official says.

BIDEN-PARDONS — Among the roughly 1,500 people whose sentences were commuted or who were pardoned by President Joe Biden are a nonprofit leader who supports at-risk youth, a social worker who fosters animals and a counselor and recovery coach. One woman who received a pardon said she wanted people with drug addiction to know there is always hope. But not everyone was pleased by Biden’s decisions. A Republican state senator said a commutation for a woman who stole $54 million from a small town in Illinois was “a slap in the face” to residents. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.

CONGRESS-PELOSI — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. By Mary Clare Jalonick and Farnoush Amiri. SENT: 450 words, photo.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine, firing 93 missiles and almost 200 drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. By Illia Novikov. SENT: 610 words, photo, audio.

TRUMP-SEAFOOD — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes for one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy — seafood — and some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. By Patrick Whittle. SENT: 890 words, photos, video.

—————————————————

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

—————————————————

RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-NATO-REFORMS — Ukraine’s new state agency for nonlethal military procurement is an example of the type of reform that the country hopes will clear the path toward NATO. Western officials are closely monitoring the State Logistics Operator known by the local abbreviation DOT. They have been pleased with the results one year since it was formed. SENT: 820 words, photos.

————————————————————

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

————————————————————

YE-TOP-PHOTOS-BRITAIN-ROYALS-PHOTO-GALLERY — AP photos capture British royal family’s year of illness and recovery. SENT: 490 words.

Find all of the AP’s year-end content in the 2024 Year In Review hub on AP Newsroom.

——————————

MORE NEWS

——————————

ENT-TV-MALCOLM-IN-THE-MIDDLE — ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ to offer new episodes with Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek. SENT: 240 words, photos.

FRANCE-NOTRE-DAME — An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ’s “Crown of Thorns” returned to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after it was saved from the flames of the medieval monument’s devastating 2019 fire. SENT: 210 words, photos, audio.

TV-CHRISTMAS-ROM-COM-WRITERS — Have you ever watched a holiday rom-com on Hallmark Channel or Lifetime — or any of the other many networks and streaming services that now air them — and thought, “I could write that”? It’s harder than you may think — but just as fun. SENT: 1,250 words, photos, video. With TV-CHRISTMAS-ROMCOMS-TIPS (sent)

———————————————————

WASHINGTON/ POLITICS

————————————————————

TRUMP-HUSH MONEY — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. SENT: 930 words, photos.

TRUMP-TRANSITION-DANIEL-PENNY — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. SENT: 440 words, photos.

ROMNEY-DEPARTURE — Sen. Mitt Romney has given his final remarks after seeing the Republican Party for which he was once the standard bearer drastically transform under Donald Trump. SENT: 600 words, photos.

ELECTION 2025-VIRGINIA — Virginia Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton wre part of a wave of female House newcomers in the 2018 midterms. Wexton has decided to retire after doctors diagnosed her with a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Spanberger opted to leave Congress to run for governor next year. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.

TRUMP-DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME — Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site, Trump says his party will try to end the practice. SENT: 270 words, photo.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT-JAN 6-FACT FOCUS — Social media users are misrepresenting a report by the Justice Department inspector general’s office, falsely claiming that it’s proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. SENT: 830 words, photo.

SUPREME COURT-CALIFORNIA-AUTO EMISSIONS — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. SENT: 510 words, photo.

—————————

NATIONAL

—————————

DRONE-FLIGHTS-NEW-JERSEY — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. SENT: 440 words, photos. With DRONE FLIGHTS-NEW JERSEY BUZZ (sent)

OPIOIDS-CRISIS-MCKINSEY — McKinsey & Company consulting firm has agreed to pay $650 million to settle a federal investigation into its work to help opioids manufacturer Purdue Pharma boost the sales of the highly addictive drug OxyContin, according to court papers filed in Virginia. SENT: 780 words, photos.

OKLAHOMA-EXECUTION-UNDERWOOD — An Oklahoma panel rejected a plea for clemency for a man convicted of torturing and killing a 10-year-old girl as part of a cannibalistic fantasy, paving the way for him to become the 25th and final person executed in the U.S. this year. SENT: 500 words, photo.

————————————

INTERNATIONAL

————————————

BRITAIN-PRINCE ANDREW — A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the United Kingdom because of concerns that he posed a threat to national security. SENT: 630 words, photos.

FRANCE-POLITICS — French President Emmanuel Macron named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. SENT: 480 words, photos, video.

GREECE-MINIATURE-THERAPY-HORSES — Specially trained miniature horses visit hospital wards and residential care homes in the Greek capital, providing pet therapy to sick and disabled children and adults. The tiny equines, standing about 30 inches tall, undergo two years of training to ensure they are at ease in confined environments and working with vulnerable people. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.

VENEZUELA-HOSPITAL-FOR-SOFT-TOYS — One by one, the toys that show the wear and tear of love are restored for the holidays: sewed and combed, stuffed and dressed. The Barbie dolls, Kung Fu Panda and many more that have been left behind by children are being prepared to be gifted once more. This is the work of the Hospital for Soft Toys, a project in Venezuela’s capital. It began with a mother’s question: What to do with all the toys once children outgrow them? About 60 volunteers now meet at least twice a week. SENT: 490 words, photos, video.

———————————————-

HEALTH & SCIENCE

————————————————-

NEW-ZEALAND-RAREST-WHALE — Scientists suspect the first complete specimen ever recorded of the world’s rarest whale died from head injuries. Officials said the first dissection of a spade-toothed whale, a type of beaked whale, was completed last week after a painstaking examination at a research center near the New Zealand city of Dunedin. SENT: 430 words, photos.

ENDANGERED-SALAMANDER — A giant salamander that evolved on the supercontinent Pangaea and outlived the dinosaurs has been proposed for federal protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The eastern hellbender would be protected under the Endangered Species Act if Friday’s submission is adopted. The slimy brown amphibian is the largest in North America and one of two subspecies in the U.S. SENT: 560 words, photos.

———————————————

ENTERTAINMENT

———————————————-

ENT-SEXUAL-MISCONDUCT-NIGEL-LYTHGOE — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Court. SENT: 200 words, developing.

FILM-TIMOTHEE CHALAMET — Playing Bob Dylan, many would say, is a terrible idea. But Timothée Chalamet has drawn widespread acclaim for his performance as Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” In an interview, Chalamet discusses why he did it, what research helped in and how the experience changed him. Q&A by Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 1,700 words, photos. An abridged version of 980 words is available.

———————————

BUSINESS

———————————

ELON MUSK-OPEN AI — A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. SENT: 690 words, photos.

———————————

SPORTS

———————————

FBC-HEISMAN-TROPHY-PREVIEW — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly are not your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football’s most prestigious award as well, but the annual ceremony coming up Saturday night in Manhattan has a fresh flavor this year. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos, by 7 p.m.

SKI-VONN-WORLD-CUP-RETURN — Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. SENT: 450 words, photos.

——————————————

HOW TO REACH US

——————————————

The Nerve Center 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.

Victoria Starmer, wife of Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meets a guest as they host a children's Christmas party inside 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, Pool)

Palestinian children queue for food in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Syrians chant slogans and wave the new Syrian flag as they gather for Friday prayers at the Umayyad mosque in Damascus, Syria, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Pakistan's Saim Ayub plays a shot during the second T20 International cricket match between South Africa and Pakistan, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Alon Alexander, 37, right, and his twin brother, Oren, left, attend their bond hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building after being charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, Pool)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks recalled top prospect Frank Nazar from the minor leagues on Friday.

Chicago also placed defenseman Alec Martinez on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 7. Martinez, who signed a $4 million, one-year contract with the Blackhawks in free agency, has a neck injury.

The 20-year-old Nazar had 11 goals and 13 assists in 21 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League. He said he tried not to think about a possible promotion while he was playing with the IceHogs.

“Just play my game, focus on myself and obviously help the team win, best I could do, and let the rest come,” he said.

The move reunites Nazar with Anders Sorensen, who was coaching Rockford before he got the interim job with Chicago when Luke Richardson was fired on Dec 5.

“It's definitely really nice just to have someone that I know and trust and have a good relationship with,” Nazar said. “I know that he's going to give good feedback and everything like that, and just help out in areas where I need it.”

Nazar was selected by Chicago with the No. 13 pick in the 2022 draft. After starring for the University of Michigan, the forward agreed to a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in April.

Nazar skated in three games with Chicago at the end of last season, scoring on his first shot on goal in his NHL debut on April 14 against Carolina.

The Blackhawks were active in free agency, so they had Nazar begin the season with Rockford to continue with his development. But he made a strong case to rejoin the NHL team with his fast start in the minors.

“Frank’s played very well,” general manager Kyle Davidson said last week when asked about Nazar being promoted. “He’s been a real bright spot for us and his performance has been really exciting.”

Chicago (9-18-2) has dropped six of seven going into Saturday's game at New Jersey. It begins a three-game homestand on Sunday against the New York Islanders.

Nazar is expected to skate on a line with Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi against the Devils. Sorensen said his advice for Nazar is to trust his instincts.

“He's been playing real well down there,” Sorensen said. “He can drive a puck and just kind of play his game, right? And then as we go, after the game we'll talk more.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

FILE- Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar participates in the team's NHL hockey camp Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)