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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TRUMP-IMMIGRATION-KANSAS AG — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, an informal adviser to President-elect Donald Trump on immigration issues, expects Trump to take action that will spark a legal challenge over the citizenship status of children born in the U.S. to immigrants living in the country illegally. By John Hanna. SENT: 770 words, photos.

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TOP STORIES

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CONGRESS-BUDGET-TRUMP — President-elect Donald Trump has delivered a likely death blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations, rejecting the measure as full of giveaways to Democrats. Billionaire ally Elon Musk whipped up outrage toward the bill and cheered on Republican lawmakers who announced their opposition. By Chris Megerian. SENT: 710 words, photos, video, audio. With CONGRESS-BUDGET — Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China’s power; CONGRESS-BUDGET-THE LATEST — Biden spokesperson warns of possible shutdown effects; CONGRESS-DEFENSE — Senate passes bill that will raise troop pay, counter China’s power — SENT.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN — Police say the shooter who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin this week brought two guns to the school. The 15-year-old girl also was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building. By Todd Richmond, Scott Bauer and Ryan J. Foley. SENT: 750 words, photos, videos, audio. With SCHOOL-SHOOTINGS-LIST; SCHOOL SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-THINGS TO KNOW — ; and SCHOOL-SHOOTING-WISCONSIN-PHOTO-GALLERY — SENT.

MIDEAST-TENSIONS-YEMEN — A series of intense Israeli airstrikes shook Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city early Thursday and killed at least nine people, officials said, shortly after a Houthi missile targeted central Israel. Thursday’s strikes risk further escalating conflict with the Iranian-backed Houthis, whose attacks on the Red Sea corridor have drastically impacted global shipping. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 1,050 words, photos, videos, audio. With MIDEAST-WARS-THE-LATEST — Israeli defense minister warns Yemen’s Houthi rebels — SENT.

FRANCE-RAPE TRIAL — A court in France sentenced the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot to 20 years of imprisonment for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to rape her while she was unconscious, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade. Arata read out verdicts one after the other against Pelicot and the 50 other men tried in the shocking case that stunned France and spurred a national reckoning about the blight of rape culture. By John Leicester, Tom Nouvian and Marine Lesprit. SENT: 990 words, photos, videos.

FRANCE-MACRON-MAYOTTE-CYCLONE —French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte to survey the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Chido. An airport security agent told him as soon as he stepped of the plane that “Mayotte is demolished.” French authorities said at least 31 people have died and more than 1,500 people were injured, more than 200 critically. But it’s feared hundreds or even even thousands of people have died after the strongest cyclone in nearly a century ripped through the French territory. By Sam Mednick, Adrienne Surprenant and Sylvie Corbet. SENT: 700 words, photos, video. With MAYOTTE-CYCLONE-CHIDO-PHOTO-COLLECTION; and CLIMATE-MAYOTTE-CYCLONE-EXPLAINER — Cyclone Chido leaves Mayotte reeling. Warmer oceans fueled it — SENT.

UNITEDHEALTHCARE-CEO-KILLED — The suspect charged with shooting to death a health insurance company chief executive on a Manhattan street will be taken to hearings on related Pennsylvania criminal charges and efforts to extradite him to New York. He is expected to waive extradition, clearing the way for his return to New York, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. By Mark Scolforo and Michael R. Sisak. SENT: 480 words, photos. The preliminary hearing is at 8:30 a.m. and the extradition hearing is at 9 a.m. With UNITEDHEALTHCARE-CEO-KILLED-TERRORISM-LAW — How New York prosecutors used a terrorism law in the charges against Luigi Mangione — SENT.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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GOLAN-HEIGHTS-DIVIDED-FAMILIES — When Israel seized the strategic Golan Heights from Syria in 1967, many families were separated by a buffer zone created between the Israeli-controlled region and the rest of Syria. Some families in Majdal Shams haven’t seen their loved ones in decades. But the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad has spurred hope that family meetings might be allowed. By Elena Becatoros. SENT: 710 words, photos, video.

SYRIA-REFUGEE’S-RETURN — After more than a decade as a refugee in Turkey, Ahmed al-Kassem decided to bring his family back home to Syria only days after the fall of Bashar Assad. He wanted back to his old life and to introduce his children — all but one of whom were born in Turkey — to Syria. But reality quickly hit when they saw the destruction in their home city of Aleppo. By Khalil Hamra. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.

MACAO-25-YEARS-AFTER-HANDOVER — Macao has grown from a monopoly-driven gambling enclave into the world’s biggest gaming hub, packed with Chinese tourists, since Beijing took control of the former Portuguese colony 25 years ago. However, the added wealth of the city dubbed the “Las Vegas of the East” has not brought qualities of sustainable development such as economic diversity and high civic participation. By Kanis Leung. SENT: 920 words, photos.

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MIDEAST WARS

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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-HUMAN-RIGHTS — Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of causing the deaths of thousands of Palestinians by systematically restricting and targeting Gaza’s water supply in a campaign that amounted to “acts of genocide.” SENT: 790 words.

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-PUTIN — Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted about the economy and hailed his troops’ gains in Ukraine during his annual news conference and call-in show, an event he uses to reinforce his authority and demonstrate sweeping control of the country’s political scene. SENT: 680 words, photos.

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MORE NEWS

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THE-TRUTH-ABOUT-SANTA? — The truth behind Santa Claus, as seen by grown-ups: To tell or not to tell? SENT: 960 words, photos.

MUSIC-GRAMMYWATCH-SEAN LENNON — Now caretaker of his dad’s work, Sean Ono Lennon seeks to innovate, not merely repeat. SENT: 1,250 words, photos.

CHRISTA MCAULIFFE-DOCUMENTARY — New documentary focuses on Christa McAuliffe’s impact as a teacher in New Hampshire. SENT: 610 words, photos, video.

KILLING-CHICKS — The US egg industry kills 350 million chicks a year. New technology offers an alternative. SENT: 760 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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BIDEN-CLIMATE — President Joe Biden is pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035. Biden is seeking to ensure his legacy on slowing global warming, even as President-elect Donald Trump vows to undo much of Biden’s climate work when he takes office next month. SENT: 740 words, photos.

UNITED NATIONS-BLINKEN — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make what is likely his final trip in office to the United Nations this week. He’s capping his engagements with the world body after a tumultuous four years that saw war return to Europe and multiple crises in the Middle East. SENT: 780 words, photos.

DEMOCRACY-NORTH CAROLINA — Democrats in North Carolina are celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices. But Republican lawmakers are stripping away these newly elected officials’ powers. UPCOMING: 1,180 words, photos by 9 a.m.

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NATIONAL

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TRUMP-PARDON-NY-GOVERNOR — As Donald Trump fights to overturn his hush money criminal conviction, the one New York Democrat with authority to grant him a pardon signaled that she would need to see some remorse from the president-elect first. SENT: 360 words.

TEXAS-SCHOOL-SHOOTING-INDICTMENT — The former schools police chief in Uvalde, Texas, who has asked a judge to throw out charges accusing him of failing to take action during the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, is expected back in court. SENT: 520 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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VANUATU-PACIFIC-EARTHQUAKE — The number of people killed and missing remains unclear two days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. SENT: 690 words, photos, video.

AFGHANISTAN-HIGHWAY-COLLISIONS — An Afghan government spokesman says two separate highway crashes in the southeast have killed 50 people and injured 76. SENT: 180 words, photos.

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HEALTH & SCIENCE

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US-DEATHS — U.S. life expectancy jumped last year, and preliminary data suggests there may be another — much smaller — improvement this year. SENT: 660 words, photo.

BIRD FLU — Health officials have confirmed the first case of severe illness in the U.S. caused by bird flu. And California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the virus rampages through dairy cattle in that state. SENT: 490 words, photo, audio.

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BUSINESS

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FINANCIAL MARKETS — Shares have skidded in Europe and Asia after U.S. stocks tumbled to one of their worst days of the year when the Federal Reserve hinted it may deliver fewer rate cuts in 2025 than earlier thought. SENT: 610 words, photos, video, audio.

AMAZON-STRIKE — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said workers at seven Amazon facilities will begin a strike on Thursday morning, an effort by the union to pressure the e-commerce company for a labor agreement during a key shopping period. SENT: 420 words, photo, audio.

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SPORTS

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AUTISTIC TENNIS PLAYER — American professional tennis player Jenson Brooksby tells The Associated Press he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was nonverbal at about 2 1/2 years old. Brooksby is getting ready to get back on the tennis tour next month after missing nearly two full years because of injuries, operations and a suspension connected to missed drug tests. SENT: 1,270 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma 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.

UNLV running back Darrien Jones, left, and defensive back Devin Hartsuck celebrate after the team's win against California during the LA Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Barcelona's Alexia Putellas celebrates after scoring her side's third goal during the women's Champions League group D soccer match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Pope Francis is kisses by a child during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Men hold a replica of the banner of the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, participating in a special military operation in Ukraine during Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference and call-in show at Gostinny Dvor in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Gisele Pelicot, who was allegedly drugged by her now former husband so that he and others could assault her, arrives at the court house in Avignon, southern France, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly)

Soja Safadi, center, with her sisters, tries to see their other sister, Sawsan, who is inside the buffer zone near the "Alpha Line" that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Women rest on a footbridge over a stream filled with debris in the Kaweni slum in the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, after Cyclone Chido. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)

A young girl walks in the Kaweni slum on the outskirts of Mamoudzou, in the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, after Cyclone Chido. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)

Half of the Premier League is under majority American ownership after Texas-based Friedkin Group completed its 98.8% purchase of Everton on Thursday.

The takeover ended Farhad Moshiri's turbulent eight-year tenure at the storied English club, which joins the Friedkins' wide-ranging portfolio of investments that includes Italian team Roma. The size of the deal was undisclosed but the BBC and other British media valued it in excess of 400 million pounds ($500 million).

Fronted by Dan Friedkin — who has a net worth of $6.4 billion, according to Forbes — and his son Ryan, the group has investments in the automotive industry, entertainment, hospitality and sports. The Friedkins made a fortune distributing Toyotas in Texas.

“I take immense pride in welcoming one of England’s most historic football clubs to our global family,” Dan Friedkin said. “Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honored to become custodians of this great institution."

Everton is a nine-time English champion which has been an ever-present in the top division since 1954 but is without a major trophy since 1995 and has been battling relegation in recent years.

The Toffees, as they are nicknamed, are 16th in the 20-team league approaching the halfway mark of this season.

The most lucrative and popular domestic league in the world now has 10 teams with U.S. owners.

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Liverpool and Manchester United are majority owned by Americans. Manchester City has minority U.S. investors in Silver Lake.

Leeds and Burnley, who both have U.S. owners, were recently relegated from the Premier League but are in a decent position to get promoted from the second-tier Championship this season. Leeds is second and Burnley is third.

Moshiri, a British-Iranian businessman, sold his stake in Arsenal to become Everton's major shareholder in 2016 and, by the end of his reign, had a 94% stake at the club.

His eight years in charge will be remembered for wasting hundreds of millions of pounds (dollars) on players, going through eight permanent managers and plunging Everton into financial uncertainty, which led to the team having two separate points deductions last season because of reckless spending.

The club's finances were particularly hit in March 2022 when Everton announced it halted its major sponsorship with companies belonging to Russian metals tycoon Alisher Usmanov, a business partner of Moshiri, after he was sanctioned by the European Union in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moshiri departs with Everton set to leave its long-term home of Goodison Park at the end of this season and move into a new state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, on the Mersey waterfront.

The sale was “the best outcome for the club and its future success,” Moshiri said.

“Despite a challenging geopolitical backdrop, a significant amount has been achieved over the last couple of years including the delivery of a new sporting department, the stabilization of our finances and the delivery of our iconic new stadium,” he said. “I now hand over to new owners confident in the outlook for the club and that our incredible fans will see the success on the pitch that they so thoroughly deserve.”

There may be some concern, however, among Everton fans about the Friedkins, who have never spoken publicly in the four years since they purchased Roma and are unpopular with supporters after making contentious management changes — including firing Daniele De Rossi, the club’s beloved former captain, early this season.

The Friedkin Group reached an agreement in principle in June to buy Moshiri's stake, but talks were called off a month later. Everton was then in negotiations with American businessman John Textor, who said he had an exclusivity agreement with the club but needed to first sell his stake in Premier League rival Crystal Palace.

Earlier, a proposed takeover of Everton by 777 Partners collapsed amid worries about the financial stability of the company.

“We understand the club has faced significant challenges on and off the pitch for several years,” said Marc Watts, the new executive chairman. “That’s why our immediate priority is stabilizing the club and improving results on the pitch.”

Watts said the group has provided an undisclosed injection of capital to ensure the completion of the new stadium, converting most of Everton’s debt either to equity “repaid or refinanced on terms more favorable to the stability of the club.”

The new owners said they had six goals, including “strengthening the men’s first-team squad through thoughtful and strategic investment” and “enhancing Everton’s reputation as a unique and historical name in world football.”

There was no mention of Sean Dyche, who has been Everton's manager for nearly two years and whose future may come under scrutiny if the new ownership wants to make a fresh start.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

A man walks outside Goodison Park as the Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool is called off due to storm Darragh at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, Saturday Dec 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Everton's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

People walk outside Goodison Park as the Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool is called off due to storm Darragh at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, Saturday Dec 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)