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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IRAN-POLITICS — Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, the country's government is allowing more criticism to bubble up to the surface. Analysts say that may serve as a relief valve in this nation of 80 million people, which already has seen widespread, leaderless protests rock the country at the start of the year. But limits still clearly exist in Iran's Shiite theocracy and the frustration people feel may not be satiated by complaining alone. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. This is the Tuesday Spotlight.
TRAFFICKING ACT-SEX WORKERS — Recent crackdowns targeting the sex-for-hire industry have reduced the number of commercial ads on the internet and helped fight online trafficking. But activists and police say the efforts may have had unintended consequences — landing women and girls back on the streets, where dangers also lurk. By Alexandra Villarreal. SENT: 900 words, photos.
DRUG PRICES-BUSINESS AS USUAL — President Donald Trump has made reducing drug prices a key promise, and on May 30 he claimed drug companies would be announcing "massive" voluntary drug price cuts within two weeks. Those cuts didn't come, and an Associated Press analysis of brand-name prescription drug prices shows it's mostly been business as usual for drugmakers: For every drug price decrease this year, there were 120 price hikes. UPCOMING: 1,200 words by 9:30 a.m., photos.
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TOP STORIES
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SUPREME COURT-KAVANAUGH — A second allegation of sexual misconduct emerges against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a development that further imperils his nomination the Supreme Court, forces the White House and Senate Republicans onto the defensive and fuels calls from Democrats to postpone further action on his confirmation. By Lisa Mascaro and Mary Clare Jalonick. SENT: 970 words, photos. With SUPREME COURT-KAVANAUGH-THE LATEST. Also see SUPREME COURT-KAVANAUGH-TICK-TOCK below.
BILL COSBY — Bill Cosby faces the start of a sentencing hearing at which a judge will decide how to punish the 81-year-old comedian who blazed the trail for other black entertainers and donated millions to black causes but preyed on at least one young woman and perhaps many more. By Maryclaire Dale. SENT: 630 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 9 a.m. hearing, then 850 words by 6 p.m. With BILL COSBY-THE LATEST.
TRUMP-UNITED NATIONS — As he begins the sequel to his stormy U.N. debut, Trump will again confront the dangers posed by North Korea's nuclear threat, though its shadow may appear somewhat less ominous than a year ago. By Jonathan Lemire and Zeke Miller. SENT: 1,160 words, photos. Also see SOUTH AFRICA-MANDELA-UN below.
TROPICAL WEATHER — Rivers swelling with the floodwaters of former Hurricane Florence are threatening to swamp communities near the South Carolina coast, leaving thousands ready to evacuate. More than a week after Florence crashed into the Carolinas, dumping heavy rains, all that water is nearing the coast. Authorities in Georgetown County, South Carolina, say they have put as many as 8,000 people on alert for possible evacuations in expectation of a "record event" of up to 10 feet floodwaters this week. By Gary D. Robertson and Martha Waggoner. SENT: 750 words, photos, videos, graphic, interactive. With TROPICAL WEATHER-THE LATEST. For AP's comprehensive coverage: https://www.apnews.com/tag/Hurricanes
US-CHINA TARIFFS — China and the United States impose new tariff hikes on each other's goods and Beijing accuses Washington of bullying, giving no sign of compromise in an intensifying battle over technology that is weighing on global economic growth. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 790 words, photos. With FINANCIAL MARKETS — World shares fall on reports China-U.S. trade talks put off.
VENEZUELA-US SANCTIONS — The June meeting was conducted behind closed doors far from the klieg-light attention normally focused on Venezuela. Around a U-shaped table in a hotel towering above the Panama Canal, U.S. Treasury Department officials distributed a list of suspected shell companies that they believe senior Venezuelan officials have used across the globe to siphon off millions of dollars from food import contracts amid widespread starvation in the oil-rich nation. By Joshua Goodman. SENT: 1,780 words, photos. An abridged version will also be sent.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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RUNNER FATALLY STABBED-DC — Mother says slain runner to be buried in wedding dress. SENT: 140 words.
AUSTRALIA-INDIAN SAILOR — French boat rescues injured Indian sailor from yacht. SENT: 340 words, photos.
JAMES WOODS-TWITTER — Actor James Woods bashes Twitter after getting locked out. SENT: 730 words, photo.
SCRABBLE DICTIONARY UPDATE — Score! Scrabble dictionary adds "OK," ''ew" to official play. SENT: 680 words, photos.
TWO-HEADED SNAKE — Agency says two-headed snake may go to educational facility. SENT: 140 words. UPCOMING: Pursuing photo.
ELECTION 2018-MICHELLE OBAMA — Michelle Obama drums up voter participation at Nevada rally. SENT: 480 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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SUPREME COURT-KAVANAUGH-TICK-TOCK — By the time Sen. Dianne Feinstein huddled with the other Democrats on the Judiciary Committee in a room just off the Senate floor, the rumors of a sexual allegation against Kavanaugh were flying. By Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,410 word, photos.
BUDGET BATTLE — Congress is set to pass a crucial spending bill that averts a government shutdown, but there's one potential obstacle: Trump, who wants his border wall fully funded. SENT: 710 words, photos.
FACT CHECK-WEEK — As the midterm elections draw near, Trump's tendency to declare his campaign promises fulfilled when they aren't has come into starker relief. SENT: 2,670 words, photos.
Sign up for "Politics in Focus," a weekly newsletter showcasing the AP's best political reporting from around the country leading up to the midterm elections: http://apne.ws/3Gzcraw
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INTERNATIONAL
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SYRIA — Russia announces that it will supply the Syrian government with modern S-300 missile defense systems following last week's downing of a Russian plane by Syria, a friendly fire incident that sent regional tensions over the war-torn country soaring. SENT: 630 words, photo.
MALDIVES-ELECTIONS — Maldives strongman President Yameen Abdul Gayoom concedes that he lost a weekend election to his challenger, longtime lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in a speech broadcast live on television. SENT: 590 words, photos. With MALDIVES-ELECTIONS-THE LATEST.
SOUTH AFRICA-MANDELA-UN — The U.N. is harnessing the soaring symbolism of Nelson Mandela, whose South African journey from anti-apartheid leader to prisoner to president to global statesman is one of the 20th century's great stories of struggle, sacrifice and reconciliation. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
HONG-KONG-POLITICAL-PARTY-BANNED — Authorities in Hong Kong take an unprecedented step against separatist voices by banning a political party that advocates independence for the southern Chinese territory on national security grounds. SENT: 590 words, photos.
IRAN — In a collective outpouring of grief, Iranians hold funerals for the victims of the weekend terror attack on a military parade in the southwestern city of Ahvaz that killed 25 people, the deadliest attack in the country in nearly a decade. SENT: 660 words, photos.
BREXIT — Britain's main opposition party takes a step at its annual conference toward backing a new referendum on Brexit — but stops short of saying the vote should include an option not to leave the European Union at all. SENT: 490 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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GIG ECONOMY-SIGNS OF SLOWDOWN — The "gig" economy might not be the new frontier for America's workforce after all as tepid pay is limiting growth. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 950 words, photo.
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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TRUMP-MILEAGE STANDARDS — Doctors, environmental groups and California officials will weigh in on the Trump administration's proposal to roll back car-mileage standards at what could be a raucous hearing in a region with some of the nation's worst air pollution. SENT: 480 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 1 p.m. hearing.
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NATIONAL
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GRAND CANYON STUNTS — Will Smith will celebrate his 50th birthday this week by bungee jumping from a helicopter near the Grand Canyon, the latest in of a series of stunts staged by daredevils in and around the natural wonder. SENT: 970 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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CHINA-MISSING CELEBRITY — Fan Bingbing, one of China's best-known stars, has well and truly fallen off the map amid vague allegations of tax shenanigans that have put her at odds with China's Communist Party-appointed culture czars. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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