AP News Digest 3:35 a.m.

Tuesday 20 July 2021 03:36 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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ONLY ON AP

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AFGHANISTAN-MORTUARY CHAPLAIN — The end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan is bringing calm to the military mortuary that had the solemn task of receiving the dead. Virtually all of the 2,312 American troops killed in the war were brought in flag-covered transfer cases to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Air Force Chaplain David Sparks has been there from the start, ministering to the families left behind and the workers charged with autopsying, embalming and preparing the remains for burial or cremation. By Matt Sedensky. SENT: 2,040 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 870 words is also available.

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TOP STORIES

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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-INDIA-DEATHS — India’s excess deaths during the pandemic could be a staggering 10 times the official COVID-19 toll, likely making it modern India’s worst human tragedy, according to the most comprehensive research yet on the ravages of the virus in the south Asian country. Most experts believe India’s official toll of more than 414,000 dead is a vast undercount, but the government has dismissed those concerns as exaggerated and misleading. By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi. SENT: 650 words, photos.

WESTERN-WILDFIRES — The threat of thunderstorms and lightning has prompted officials in fire-ravaged Oregon to ask for help from outside the Pacific Northwest to prepare for additional blazes as many resources are already devoted to a massive fire in the state that has grown to a third the size of Rhode Island. Evacuations and property losses have been minimal compared with much smaller blazes in densely populated areas of California. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 760 words, photos, videos.

BIDEN-INFRASTRUCTURE — President Joe Biden says his infrastructure agenda must be passed to sustain economic momentum. He’s aiming to set the tone for a crucial week of congressional negotiations on two separate bills that would together spend over $4 trillion. But Senate Republicans are signaling they would likely oppose a procedural vote set for Wednesday. By Josh Boak and Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 860 words, photos.

GERMANY-FLOODS-TOWN’S-TRAUMA — The Rev. Joerg Meyrer steels himself before making his way through the stinking piles of mud-caked debris that permeate this once-beautiful town in Germany’s wine-growing Ahr valley. For the past five days, the 58-year-old Catholic priest has pulled on his galoshes and walked the streets to try to give comfort to his parishioners as they get on with the grim task of cleaning up what was destroyed by Wednesday’s flash flood — and recovering the bodies of those who perished in it. By Frank Jordans and Bram Janssen. SENT: 670 words, photos.

MUSLIMS-EID-AL-ADHA — Muslims around the world were observing yet another major Islamic holiday in the shadow of the pandemic and amid growing concerns about the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus. Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is typically marked by communal prayers, large social gatherings and, for many, slaughtering of livestock and giving meat to the needy. This year, the holiday comes as many countries battle the delta variant, prompting some to impose new restrictions or issue appeals for people to avoid congregating and follow safety protocols. By Mariam Fam. SENT: 970 words, photos.

BLUE ORIGIN-BEZOS — Jeff Bezos is about to soar on his space travel company’s first flight with people on board. The founder of Blue Origin as well as Amazon will become the second billionaire to ride his own rocket. He’ll blast off from West Texas with his brother, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands and an 82-year-old female aviation pioneer from Texas. They’ll become the youngest and oldest ever to fly in space. Blue Origin’s capsule is fully automated, so there’s no need for trained staff on the brief space hop. Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson rocket plane needs two pilots to operate. Branson beat Bezos to space on July 11. By Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn. SENT: 370 words, photos. UPCOMING: Launch targeted for 9 a.m.

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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

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PEOPLE-HALSEY — “Without Me” singer Halsey announces birth of first child. SENT: 90 words, photo.

PREDATORS-GAY PROSPECT — Nashville prospect comes out as gay in NHL milestone. SENT: 530 words.

HALL-OF-FAME-SABOL — NFL Films’ creative force Steve Sabol enters Hall of Fame. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

CALIFORNIA-RECALL-TAX-RETURNS — Tax returns show Caitlyn Jenner’s income has fallen sharply. SENT: 790 words, photo.

TOKYO-COMPOSER — Under-fire Olympic composer steps down over past bullying. SENT: 510 words, photo.

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AP News Digest 3:35 a.m.

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