AP National News

AP Week in Pictures, Middle East

The Associated Press

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan Region between Feb. 4-10, 2020. This week’s selection includes scenes across the region, where the COVID-19 pandemic remains a dominant force despite the arrival of vaccines and some easing of restrictions. Riot police in Beirut scuffled…

Morgan Wallen tells fans not to defend his racist language

By KRISTIN M. HALL - AP Entertainment Writer

Country star Morgan Wallen has told his fans on social media not to downplay the racist language he was caught saying on camera. The celebrity website TMZ last week posted a video of Wallen saying a racial slur and Wallen apologized at the time. After a week of silence, Wallen posted a longer message on Instagram on Wednesday night. He said there was no reason to downplay what he did and that his actions and his words matter. He said he has accepted invitations to speak to Black organizations and leaders. Radio stations removed his music and streaming services took his songs off their top playlists. His record label suspended him. 

The Latest: Jump in cases worries S. Korea as holiday starts

By The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 504 new coronavirus cases for the latest 24-hour period. It is the highest daily jump in about two weeks and raising worries about a potential surge as the country begins the Lunar New Year’s holidays. Health officials said Thursday the newly reported cases took the country’s total for the pandemic to 82,434,…

AP-NORC poll: A Third of US Adults Skeptical of COVID Shots

NEW YORK (AP) – About 1 in 3 Americans say they definitely or probably won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s according to a new poll that some experts say is discouraging news if the U.S. hopes to achieve herd immunity and vanquish the outbreak. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while 67% of…