AP News Digest 6 p.m.
Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
————————-
NEW/DEVELOPING
————————-
Adds ELECTION 2020-BUTTIGIEG, CHINA-OUTBREAK-APPLE, TAYLOR SWIFT-DAD BURGLARIZED, ALL-STAR RATINGS, WOMEN'S BKB POLL, MEXICO-WOMEN SLAIN, OBIT-CHARLES PORTIS, ASTROS-LOOKING FORWARD, OBIT-MICKEY WRIGHT.
_______________________
ONLY ON AP
_______________________
VATICAN-LEGION OF CHRIST — Five suspects are scheduled to be tried next month in the latest case against the disgraced Legion of Christ religious order. They're charged with trying to obstruct justice and to extort the family of a young man who was molested by a priest when he was 12. As part of the scheme, the accused offered the family 15,000 euros if he would tell authorities that the abuse never happened. By Nicole Winfield and Maria Verza. SENT: 2,650 words, photos. Abridged version also available. This is the Tuesday Spotlight.
_______________________
_______________________
CHINA-OUTBREAK — Health officials in China publish the first details on nearly 45,000 cases of the novel coronavirus disease that originated there, saying more than 80% have been mild and new ones seem to be falling since early this month, although it's far too soon to tell whether the outbreak has peaked. By Chief Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. With CHINA-OUTBREAK-QUARANTINED AMERICANS — American cruise passengers quarantined at US military bases. SENT: 730 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-BUTTIGIEG — Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg's fresh face, intellect and turn-the-page message won votes across many demographic groups in the kickoff states. Now the promise of his candidacy is colliding with the reality of the central question about his viability: Can he win among minority voters who form the critical foundation of the party’s base? By Thomas Beaumont. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP News.
CHINA-FORBIDDING FAITH — A database obtained by The Associated Press exposes in extraordinary detail the main reasons for the detentions of Uighur imam Memtim Amir, his three sons, and hundreds of other Muslims in Karakash County: Their religion and their family ties. Taken as a whole, the information offers the fullest and most personal view yet into how Chinese officials decided who to put into and let out of detention camps, as part of a massive crackdown that has locked away more than a million ethnic minorities. By Dake Kang. SENT: 1,600 words, photos. Abridged version also available.
SYRIA — In a rare public appearance, Syrian President Bashar Assad congratulates his forces for consolidating control over the entire province of Aleppo in northern Syria, pledging to press ahead with a military campaign to achieve complete victory “sooner or later.” By Albert Aji and Zeina Karam. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
SEVERE WEATHER-MISSISSIPPI — The swollen Pearl River appears to have crested in Mississippi’s capital, but authorities warn the hundreds of evacuees in the Jackson area not to rush back home until they got the all clear, and a forecast of more rain puts counties farther south at risk of flooding. By Rogelio V. Solis and Melinda Deslatte. SENT: 860 words, photos, video.
ROBERT DURST-MURDER TRIAL — There is almost no physical evidence connecting millionaire real estate heir Robert Durst to the slaying of his best friend in Los Angeles 20 years ago. What does link him to the killing of Susan Berman, though, is a cryptic note sent to police with her address and one word: “CADAVER.” Jury selection begins this week in the sensational case. By Brian Melley. SENT: 960 words, photos.
DAYTONA 500 — The president is gone. So are the clouds, the long lines and most of the crowd. The Daytona 500 resumes one day after “The Great American Race” was postponed due to rain for just the second time in 62 years. By Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. SENT: 810 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing.
_______________________
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
_______________________
CHINA-OUTBREAK-APPLE — Apple is warning investors that it won't meet its second-quarter financial guidance because the viral outbreak in China has cut production of iPhones. SENT: 200 words, photo.
JEFF BEZOS-CLIMATE CHANGE — Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the world's richest man, says he plans to spend $10 billion of his own fortune to help fight climate change. SENT: 250 words, photos.
PLYMOUTH ROCK VANDALIZED — Police investigate a vandalism spree that left the famous Plymouth Rock covered in graffiti. SENT: 200 words, video.
TAYLOR SWIFT-DAD BURGLARIZED — Taylor Swift's father recently fought a burglar who broke into his $4 million Florida penthouse, a newspaper reports. SENT: 200 words.
ALL-STAR RATINGS — Ratings for the NBA All-Star Game rise by 8 percent. SENT: 130 words, photos.
WOMEN'S BKB POLL — UConn's record streak of top five appearances in the AP women’s rankings is over. SENT: 350 words, photos.
_______________________
_______________________
FACT CHECK-WEEK — President Trump is misrepresenting the Justice Department's handling of the legal case of his confidant and spreading a variety of other distortions. SENT: 2,400 words, photos.
NATO-PELOSI-HUAWEI — No NATO ally should succumb to the temptation of letting Chinese tech giant Huawei into their next-generation cellular networks, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says. SENT: 300 words, photos.
_______________________
_______________________
BURKINA FASO-KILLINGS — Gunmen kill 24 civilians, including a church pastor, and kidnap three others in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. SENT: 320 words
EUROPE-STORM — Britain issues severe flood warnings, advising of life-threatening danger after storm dumps weeks' worth of rain in some places. SENT: 600 words, photos.
BURUNDI-MASS GRAVES — Authorities in Burundi say they have opened six mass graves containing more than 6,000 bodies from unrest that occurred decades ago. SENT: 300 words, photos.
BRITAIN-GOVERNMENT ADVISER — An adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns amid fierce criticism of his past comments linking intelligence to race. SENT: 510 words, photos.
MEXICO-WOMEN SLAIN — The killing of a 7-year-old girl on the southern outskirts of Mexico City has stoked rising anger over brutal slayings of women, including one found stabbed to death and skinned earlier this month. SENT: 570 words, photos.
_______________________
_______________________
VIRGINIA GUN LAWS — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's push to ban the sale of assault weapons fails after members of his own party balk at the proposal. SENT: 630 words, photos.
MISSISSIPPI SHOOTINGS — The ex-wife of a Mississippi man on trial in the shooting deaths of eight people has testified that a sheriff's deputy became the first victim when he was shot in the face by the man she described as “abusive" and “controlling." SENT: 610 words, photos.
CARJACKING-SUSPECT KILLED — Police officers in Massachusetts fatally shoot a man connected to carjackings in two states. SENT: 340 words.
_______________
_______________
PIER 1-BANKRUPTCY — Home goods retailer Pier 1 Imports is filing for bankruptcy protection. SENT: 440 words.
EUROPE-FACEBOOK — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg meets top European Union officials on a visit to Brussels, days before the bloc is expected to release new proposals on regulating artificial intelligence. SENT: 450 words, photos.
_______________________
_______________________
OBIT-CHARLES PORTIS — One of America's most revered novelists has died. Charles Portis, best known for the best-selling Western “True Grit,” was 86. By National Writer Hillel Italie. SENT: 1,000 words.
_______________
_______________
ASTROS-LOOKING FORWARD — The Astros hold their first workout and are greeted by the sounds of spring — a fan banging on a trash can, another calling Jose Altuve a cheater. SENT: 800 words, photos.
OBIT-MICKEY WRIGHT — Hall of Fame golfer Mickey Wright, who earned 13 major titles and 82 victories overall, has died at 85. SENT: 480 words, photos.
--------------
HOW TO REACH US
--------------
At the Nerve Center, Mike Stewart can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.