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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ONLY ON AP

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AP POLL-ECONOMY — A new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump’s victory. Republicans, meanwhile, are still dour about the current state of the economy but hopeful that growth will be stronger next year. The latest survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that some Americans are evaluating the economy more by who holds political power than on what the underlying trends suggest. By Josh Boak and Linley Sanders. SENT: 930 words, photos.

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TOP STORIES

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SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — Police say a 15-year-old student opened fire inside a study hall at a small Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and teenager. The shooting prompted a swarm of police officers responding to a second grader’s 911 call. By Scott Bauer. SENT: 750 words, photos, videos, audio. With SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-THE LATEST and SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-THINGS TO KNOW — SENT.

MIDEAST-WARS-THE-LATEST — Palestinian medics say an Israeli strike in Gaza killed at least eight people from the same family, most of them women and children. The strike hit a house in Gaza City’s central neighborhood of Daraj. Among the bodies recovered from the rubble were a father and his three children, and the children’s grandmother, according to a casualty list obtained by The Associated Press. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.

RUSSIA-EXPLOSION — A senior Russian general has been killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow. The attack came a day after Ukraine’s security service leveled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out the attack. SENT: 610 words, photos, video.

TRUMP-RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — President-elect Donald Trump says he might reverse President Joe Biden’s decision to permit Ukrainian forces to use American long-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory. Trump called the move by Biden “stupid.” By Colleen Long and Aamer Madhani. SENT: 780 words, photos. With TRUMP-TAKEAWAYS — Trump says he’s a “believer” in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeaways; TRUMP-NOMINEES-CONGRESS — RFK Jr. meets with senators as questions swirl about Trump’s pick to lead health agency; TRUMP-HUSH MONEY — Judge rejects Trump’s bid to toss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity ruling — SENT.

COURTS-TRUST-GALLUP — At a time of heightened political division, Americans’ confidence in their country’s judicial system and courts has dropped to a record low of 35% this year, according to a new Gallup poll. By Lindsay Whitehurst. SENT: 540 words, photo.

VANUATU-PACIFIC-EARTHQUAKE — A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck just off the coast of Vanuatu, causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific island nation. The injured have begun arriving at a hospital and there are only unconfirmed reports of casualties. With communications still down hours and official information scarce, witness accounts of casualties began to surface on social media and through patchy phone calls. By Charlotte Graham-McLay. SENT: 710 words, photos, videos.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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ASIAN AMERICANS-MAKING SPACE — It’s about as American an idea as it gets -the hunger to make your own path, to find your own way, make your voice heard. A look at social media and pop culture shows plenty of young Asian Americans doing just that these days — in business, in politics, in content creation, in entertainment, in life. Previous generations of Asian Americans haven’t always had the same chance. By Deepti Hajela. SENT: 1,480 words, photos. An abridged version is available.

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-FUNDRAISING-CHALLENGES — Advertisements pasted along the sidewalk in Kyiv ask for donations to help fill financial gaps across Ukraine’s military. By scanning a QR code people can help buy anything from body warmers, to drones and armored cars for soldiers defending the nearly 1,000-kilometer or 620-mile front line. SENT: 920 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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SEXUAL MISCONDUCT DIDDY JAY-Z — Jay-Z’s lawyer says accuser’s rape claim is "provably, demonstrably false." SENT: 570 words, photos.

DRONE-FLIGHTS-EXPLAINER — Drone detectors in New Jersey have found “little or no evidence” of wrongdoing, governor says. SENT: 1,070 words, photo, videos, audio.

NATIONAL-FILM-REGISTRY — “Dirty Dancing,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Up in Smoke” among movies entering the National Film Registry. SENT: 630 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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DRONE-ATTACK-CRIMINAL-CHARGES — Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other servicemembers. SENT: 520 words, photos, audio.

HARRIS — Vice President Kamala Harris goes to Maryland for a speech to students. She is expected to make her most extensive remarks since her concession speech after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump. SENT: 320 words, photos. Speech at 11 a.m.

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NATIONAL

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GILGO BEACH-SERIAL KILLINGS — The New York architect charged in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings is set to appear in court, with prosecutors announcing a “significant development” in the investigation. SENT: 290 words, photos.

NOPD-CONSENT-DECREE-DEBATE — The New Orleans Police Department, plagued for decades by corruption, is pushing to finally end more than a decade of federal oversight. SENT: 1,290 words, photos.

MISSING WOMAN-MINNESOTA — A Minnesota man convicted of first-degree murder faces sentencing for killing his girlfriend, whose 2023 disappearance after she dropped off their kids at daycare drew national attention and prompted thousands of volunteers to join in the search. SENT: 400 words, photos.

NAVAJO-NATION-LEADERSHIP — Political turmoil is erupting at one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S. as the top attorney for the Navajo Nation announced that an investigation has cleared the Navajo president of sexual harassment allegations by the vice president. SENT: 460 words, photos.

INDIANA-EXECUTION — Indiana officials are set to carry out the state’s first execution in 15 years on a man convicted in the 1997 killings of four people, including his brother and his sister’s fiancé. SENT: 830 words, photos, audio.

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INTERNATIONAL

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MAYOTTE-CYCLONE-CHIDO — An overnight curfew goes into force Tuesday evening as Mayotte struggles to recover from Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to hit the French Indian Ocean archipelago in 90 years. The official death toll stands at 22, with over 1,400 injured, but authorities believe hundreds and maybe thousands of people have died. SENT: 330 words, photos.

SOUTH KOREA-MARTIAL-LAW — South Korea’s acting leader has vowed to convey to the world that things are back to normal following parliament’s impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. But rival parties are squabbling over the mechanics of a court ruling to determine whether to formally unseat or reinstate him. SENT: 830 words, photos.

CANADA-FREELAND-RESIGNS — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing the biggest test of his political career following the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, long one of his most powerful and loyal ministers. The move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years can stay on as his administration scrambles to deal with incoming President-elect Donald Trump. SENT: 1,020 words, photos, video, audio.

AUSTRALIA-ANTISEMITISM — An Australian state government has proposed new restrictions on protesters in response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. SENT: 390 words, photos.

BOLIVIA-MORALES ARREST — Prosecutors in Bolivia are seeking the arrest of former President Evo Morales in connection to a sexual abuse investigation involving his alleged fathering of a child with a 15-year-old girl. The arrest warrant was issued after Morales defied an order to testify in the case. SENT: 190 words, photo.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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FILM-BARRY-JENKINS — Over the four years he’s spent working on “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Barry Jenkins estimates that he’s been asked why he wanted to make it at least 400 times. SENT: 1,340 words, photos.

BOOKS-JOHN-H-MACDONALD — Crime writer John D. MacDonald, a master of the genre, was so prolific that sometimes he couldn’t keep up with what he was doing. He might have dozens of stories in submission at once and would leave some unfinished or unpublished as he moved to a new idea. One of the surviving manuscripts was recently discovered and appears this week in the literary quarterly The Strand Magazine. SENT: 580 words.

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SPORTS

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BEARS-VIKINGS — Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had touchdown runs in the second half to complement a smothering performance by the Minnesota defense, and the Vikings moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North by beating the Chicago Bears 30-12 for their seventh consecutive victory. SENT: 770 words, photos. With FALCONS-RAIDERS — Cousins and Falcons do just enough to beat Raiders 15-9 and keep pace with Bucs in NFC South — SENT.

BBO-RAYS-BALLPARK — After two costly delays, the Pinellas County Commission is set to vote on its share of financing for a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. SENT: 400 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.

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) tries to break a tackle by Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, arrives at the Hart Building to meet with senators at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son smiles with President-elect Donald Trump during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Salma Safadi cries as she speaks with her sister Sawsan Safadi, who lives inside the buffer zone near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Salma Safadi waves a shirt to her sister Sawsan Safadi, who lives inside the buffer zone near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces and his assistant, seen at lower center, were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

A family leaves the shelter after multiple injuries were reported following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

A senior Russian general was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow, a day after Ukraine’s security service leveled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out the attack.

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the attack.

Kirillov, 54, was under sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his actions in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons.

An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, described Kirillov as a “war criminal and an entirely legitimate target.”

The SBU has said it recorded more than 4,800 occasions when Russia used chemical weapons on the battlefield since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In May, the U.S. State Department said that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in World War I, against Ukrainian troops.

Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat.

Kirillov, who took his current job in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances — claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda.

The bomb used in Tuesday's attack was triggered remotely, according to Russian news reports. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched brickwork.

The SBU official provided footage that they said was of the bombing. It shows two men leaving a building shortly before a blast fills the frame.

Russia’s top state investigative agency said it's investigating Kirillov’s death as a case of terrorism, and officials in Moscow vowed to punish Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, described the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to distract public attention away from its military failures and vowed that its “senior military-political leadership will face inevitable retribution.”

Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot in the war in Ukraine, grinding deeper into the eastern region of Donetsk region despite heavy losses. Ukraine tried to change the dynamic with an incursion into Russia's Kursk region, but it has continued to slowly lose ground on its own territory.

Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine.

Darya Dugina, a commentator on Russian TV channels and the daughter of Kremlin-linked nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, died in a 2022 car bombing that investigators suspected was aimed at her father.

Vladlen Tatarsky, a popular military blogger, died in April 2023, when a statuette given to him at a party in St. Petersburg exploded. A Russian woman, who said that she presented the figurine on orders of a contact in Ukraine, was convicted in the case and handed a 27-year sentence.

In December 2023, Illia Kiva, a former pro-Moscow Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia, was shot and killed near Moscow. The Ukrainian military intelligence lauded the killing, warning that other “traitors of Ukraine” would share the same fate.

On Dec. 9, an explosive device was placed under a car in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk, reportedly targeting Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of the Olenivka Prison where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a missile strike in July 2022. One other was injured in the blast. Russian authorities said they detained a suspect in the attack.

Associated Press writer Illia Novikov contributed from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces and his assistant, seen at left, were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces and his assistant, seen at lower center, were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Investigators stand near the body of Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces after he and his assistant were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, center, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces and his assistant, right, were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, right, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces and his assistant were killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

FILE - In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Feb. 28, 2023, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov speaks during a briefing in Moscow, Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File)

Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

A body lies at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

Investigates work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP Photo)

FILE - Maj. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the Russian military's radiation, chemical and biological protection unit, attends a briefing in Kubinka Patriot park, outside Moscow, Russia, on June 22, 2018. (AP Photo, File)