AP News Digest 3:20 am

Tuesday 18 October 2022 01:09 EDT

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Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

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TOP STORIES

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR — As temperatures drop below freezing in eastern Ukraine, those who haven’t already fled from the heavy fighting, regular shelling and months of Russian occupation are now facing a brutal winter. Collecting firewood and pulling up water from wells, tens of thousands of Ukrainians are digging in for the cold months. Many residents of the Kharkiv region have been living without gas, water or electricity for weeks after Russian strikes cut off utilities in many cities and towns. Now bundling up at night and cooking outdoors is their only way to survive as authorities hurriedly try to restore some services. By Justin Spike. SENT: 1,030 words, photos. With RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR-THE LATEST.

ELECTION 2022-DEMOCRATS — Election Day in 2018 saw Democrats flip more than 40 seats to regain the House majority, and anxiety over Donald Trump’s presidency was a major reason. But those Democrats elected four years ago are campaigning in a much different political environment this year, with Trump out of office and voters concerned about the economy and crime. By Will Weissert. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.

MEXICO-MIGRANTS — As migrants, especially Venezuelans, struggle to come to terms with a new U.S. policy discouraging border crossings, one small town in southern Mexico is unexpectedly playing host to around 10,000 migrants camped far from the U.S. border. While many Venezuelans had planned to make their way to the U.S. border, the American policy says border crossers will simply be expelled. That leaves many camped out in the temporary tent shelters wondering what they'll do next. By Maria Verza. SENT: 590 words, photos.

AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN KILLINGS — The Taliban captured, bound and shot 27 men to death in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley last month as part of their offensive against resistance fighters in the area, according to a new report, refuting the group’s earlier claims they were killed in battle. By Riazat Butt. SENT: 500 words, photo.

STRONG DOLLAR-GLOBAL IMPACT — As the value of the U.S. dollar soars, other currencies around the world are sinking by comparison. This is contributing to skyrocketing prices for everyday goods and services and compounding financial distress, especially in poor countries. By Paul Wiseman, Kelvin Chan, Samy Magdy and Ayse Wieting. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.

STUDENT DEBT — President Joe Biden officially kicked off the application process for his student debt cancellation program and announced that 8 million borrowers had already applied for loan relief during the federal government’s soft launch period over the weekend. By Collin Binkley and Seung Min Kim. SENT: 790 words, photos, video. With STUDENT DEBT-HOW TO APPLY.

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AP News Digest 3:20 am