AP News Digest 7 a.m.
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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NEW/DEVELOPING
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CUBAN EMBASSY SHOOTING — Washington, D.C., police: Suspect arrested for shooting at Cuban Embassy. SENT: 150 words.
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ONLY ON AP
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AMERICAN HOSTAGE — In the days following the capture of an American contractor in Afghanistan earlier this year, Navy commandos raided a village and detained suspected members of the Taliban-linked Haqqani network while the U.S. intelligence community tried to track the cellphones of the man and his captors, The Associated Press has learned. By James Laporta and Eric Tucker. SENT: 1,440 words, photo. An abridged version of 1,030 words is also available.
AP POLL-VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUST — Americans are grappling with an essential question as they try to get the information they need to stay safe during the coronavirus crisis: Whom do you trust? By Aamer Madhani and Hannah Fingerhut. SENT: 1,430 words, photos, video, graphics. With AP POLL-VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUST-GLANCE.
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK — The world’s economic pain was on full display as Europe and the United States were releasing more figures showing the devastating impact on jobs and companies of lockdown measures designed to battle the coronavirus pandemic. In Europe, where over 132,000 people with the virus have died, the fear of renewed infection spikes that could again overwhelm hospital emergency wards was tempering hopes that economies on life-support will regain their vigor as workers return to factories, shops and offices. By John Leicester and David McHugh. SENT: 1,120 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-DEATH COUNT — President Donald Trump predicted the U.S. death count from the coronavirus pandemic would come in at about 60,000, but the reported toll has now edged past Trump’s marker. By Darlene Superville. SENT: 960 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON — Trump says he’s not extending social distancing guidelines.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-LAST-NORMAL-MOMENT — The coronavirus scare has done something to time. The days, weeks, and now the months, have blurred and stretched as talk of reopening the world has taken over for millions waiting and wondering at home. Like so many cataclysms before this one, memories are settling in of the old times, for better or worse. By Leanne Italie. SENT: 1,750 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 760 words is also available.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL’S NEIGHBORS — Brazil’s virtually uncontrolled surge of COVID-19 cases is spawning fear that construction workers, truck drivers and tourists from Latin America’s biggest nation will spread the disease to neighboring countries that are doing a better job of controlling the coronavirus. By Almudena Calatrava and Michael Weissenstein. SENT: 870 words, photos.
EUROPE-ECONOMY — The European economy shrank by a record 3.8% in the first quarter as business activity from hotels and restaurants to construction and manufacturing was frozen by shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. SENT: 360 words, photo. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-JOBLESS — Europe’s employment aid keeps jobs from vanishing — for now; VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — U.K. admits it could miss 100,000 daily virus tests target. Also see MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK below.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
ELECTION 2020-THIRD PARTY — The first major third-party candidate is emerging in the contest between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Michigan congressman Justin Amash faces almost impossibly steep odds, but any candidacy outside the two major parties can produce unpredictable twists. By Will Weissert. SENT: 870 words, photo.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — Gov. Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed starting Friday after people thronged the seashore during a sweltering weekend despite his social distancing order that aims to slow the spread of the coronavirus, according to a memo sent to police chiefs around the state. SENT: 960 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-LOS-ANGELES-TESTING — Mayor: L.A. first major U.S. city offering all residents tests.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ISRAEL-PERFECTING PROTESTS — Thousands of people have gathered in perfect geometric patterns in Tel Aviv’s central square to comply with social distancing rules as they express their anger over the continued rule of a prime minister charged with serious crimes. SENT: 920 words, photos. With ISRAEL-POLITICS — Israelis protest at court ahead of anti-Netanyahu petitions.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-JAPAN-NOT STAYING HOME — Under Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency, people have been asked to stay home. Many are not. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-IMMIGRANT-HELPERS — Some immigrants who used to do construction or clean homes but lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic go out each day to deliver food to families in need. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THAILAND-GROUNDED-GIGS — Faced with grounded flights and pay cuts, crews of Thailand’s airlines have formed a car and motorbike delivery service, earning vital money and winning fame on the doorstep. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FUNERAL HOME — Police were called to a Brooklyn neighborhood after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials say. SENT: 320 words, photos, video.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-JOURNALISTS — The working conditions of news reporters around the globe have deteriorated during the coronavirus pandemic amid job losses and attacks on media freedom, according to a survey by the International Federation of Journalists. SENT: 320 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SYRIA — The U.N. humanitarian chief says that more than 40 cases of COVID-19 and at least three deaths have been reported in Syria, signaling that “tragedy beckons” after nine years of war that has left the country’s health care system decimated. SENT: 730 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — The Australian Capital Territory becomes the first of the country’s eight states and mainland territories to declare itself free of all known cases of the coronavirus. SENT: 910 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FEDERAL PRISONS — The response from the federal Bureau of Prisons to the growing coronavirus crisis raises alarm among advocates and lawmakers about whether the agency is doing enough to ensure the safety of the nearly 150,000 inmates serving time in federal facilities. SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SRI LANKA — Sailors at a Sri Lankan naval base have become the biggest cluster of coronavirus infections in the Indian Ocean island nation with 248 testing positive for the disease, authorities say. SENT: 320 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-RAMADAN-PHOTO GALLERY — Images of Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 500 words, photos.
GROUND GAME — AP’s coronavirus podcast, “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” today focuses on how Brazil is emerging as potentially the next big hot spot for the COVID-19 pandemic — and how that is making its neighbors nervous. Listen to the podcast at https://appodcasts.com/category/ground-game/. Embed code is available on AP Coverage. Plan.
A separate advisory has been sent outlining AP’s complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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PEOPLE-HARRISON FORD — Harrison Ford piloting plane that wrongly crosses runway. SENT: 250 words, photo.
INDIA-OBIT-RISHI KAPOOR — Top actor and Bollywood scion Rishi Kapoor dies of leukemia. SENT: 330 words, photos.
BOOKS-BOLTON — John Bolton book again delayed, this time to June 23. SENT: 240 words, photo.
STUDENT NAMES HELICOPTER-MARS — Alabama student names NASA’s first Mars helicopter. SENT: 420 words.
CYBERSTALKING ARREST — Virginia man accused of racist threats expected to plead guilty. SENT: 290 words.
SOUTH KOREA-FIRE — South Korea investigating cause of fire after 38 workers die. SENT: 280 words, photos.
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TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE — Lawyers for Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, release internal FBI emails and notes that they hope will bolster their allegations that Flynn was entrapped when he was questioned at the White House three years ago. SENT: 700 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN RUNNING MATE — Joe Biden announces the four co-chairs of his vice presidential vetting team, starting the search for his running mate in earnest. SENT: 340 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN ALLEGATIONS — Biden faces his first real challenge as the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee, as a sexual assault allegation against him draws renewed media focus and Republican attacks. SENT: 990 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP — Trump erupted at his top political advisers last week when they presented him with worrisome polling data that showed his support eroding in a series of battleground states as his response to the coronavirus came under criticism. SENT: 820 words, photos.
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NORTH KOREA-KIM-WORST-CASE SCENARIOS — North Korea’s collapse has been predicted — wrongly — for decades, so it is no surprise that unconfirmed rumors that current leader Kim Jong Un is seriously ill have raised worries about what Washington and North Korea’s neighbors would do if things fall apart in any post-Kim North Korea. SENT: 860 words, photos.
GERMANY-HEZBOLLAH BAN — German police raid five sites linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, as authorities announce that they are banning activities by its political wing in Germany. SENT: 250 words, photos.
PAKISTAN-KASHMIR — Indian artillery fire in the disputed Kashmir region hit Pakistani army posts and villages killing a soldier, a woman and a 16-year-old girl, Pakistani military and government officials say. SENT: 350 words.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Shares fell back in Europe following the release of worse-than-expected data showing the regional economy contracted by a record 3.8% in the last quarter as business activity was frozen by shutdowns aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 580 words, photos.
COMCAST-RESULTS — Comcast’s net income slid in the first three months of the year as the coronavirus pandemic forced it to shut down its theme parks and its movies were kept out of shuttered theaters. By Technology Writer Tali Arbel. SENT: 410 words.
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FILM-TRIBECA-FILM-FESTIVAL-AWARDS — Alice Wu’s “The Half of It,” a teenage spin on Cyrano de Bergerac, has won the top award from the Tribeca Film Festival. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 290 words, photo.
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NCAA-COMPENSATING-ATHLETES-Q&A — The foundation is in place for the NCAA to drastically alter its definition of amateurism. By College Sports Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 740 words, photos.
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