AP News Digest 2:15 p.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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VIRUS OUTBREAK — The hunt for masks, ventilators and other medical supplies consumed the U.S. and Europe, as more than 1.5 billion people — one-fifth of the world's population — were urged or ordered to stay home to try to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. Political paralysis stalled efforts for a quick aid package from Congress. Investor fears about the outbreak's economic toll pushed U.S. stocks down in morning trading even after the Federal Reserve said it will buy as much government debt as necessary and lend to small and large businesses and local governments to help them cope. By Lori Hinnant and Adam Geller. SENT: 1,260 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-LATEST, VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING, VIRUS-OUTBREAK-NEW-YORK-PHOTO-GALLERY (all sent)
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS -- President Donald Trump expresses qualms about extending the current 15-day shutdown recommended by the federal government, even as his officials warned that the coronavirus crisis is deepening and Congress and the White House struggle to complete a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package. By Andrew Taylor, Lisa Mascaro and Jill Colvin. SENT: 1,340 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from afternoon Senate session, White House briefing at 5:30 p.m. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-AT-GLANCE (upcoming)
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMY VS HEALTH — President Trump put it bluntly in his tweet: "WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF." Tensions is growing between those who want to get the country back up and running to halt a great depression, and medical experts who warn that unless more extreme action is taken, the human catastrophe will only grow worse. By Jill Colvin, Josh Boak and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. UPCOMING: 850 words, photos by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FEDERAL RESERVE — In its boldest effort to protect the U.S. economy from the coronavirus, the Federal Reserve says it will buy as much government debt as it deems necessary and will also begin lending to small and large businesses and local governments to help them weather the crisis. The Fed's announcement removes any dollar limits from its plans to support the flow of credit through an economy that has been ravaged by the viral outbreak. The central bank's all-out effort has now gone beyond even the extraordinary drive it made to rescue the economy from the 2008 financial crisis. SENT: 970 words, photos.
US-VIRUS OUTBREAK-ABORTION — The governors of Texas and Ohio order a halt to non-essential surgeries during the coronavirus outbreak, igniting debate over whether abortions should be covered by those bans. By David Crary, Jim Vertuno and Julie Carr Smyth. SENT: 350 words. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 4:30 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA — As India expanded its virus-containment measures and halted its train network, the country's lifeblood, the federal government warned Monday of strict legal action for those who flout the rules. The wholesale shutdown of India's massive train system is unprecedented. SENT: 510 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK
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In the debut episode of “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” the AP’s virus podcast, host Ralph Russo talks to News Director for Greater China Ken Moritsugu about how China and South Korea handled the outbreak. Find the episode here at 3 p.m., with embed code available on AP Coverage Plan.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ITALY — Officials say Italy has recorded a smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for the second straight day. SENT: 300 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CANADA — Canada's most populous province said it is ordering the closure of all non-essential businesses for at least 14 days. SENT: 210 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS — Brooklyn caterer Israel Frischman says he’ll continue to prepare dozens of meals each day for Holocaust survivors living in Brooklyn even when the Jewish community center that provides them to the survivors owes him money. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — Syrians are rushing to stock up on food and fuel amid fears that authorities will resort to even stricter measures after reporting the first coronavirus infection in the country, where the healthcare system has been decimated by nearly a decade of civil war. SENT: 790 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FITNESS ROUTINES — People around the country who are self-isolating or maintaining social distance during the coronavirus outbreak have to think outside the gym when it comes to their fitness routines. Many are turning to online classes or getting outside to exercise. SENT: 750 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-COOKING — All over the country, people who are used to eating prepared food at restaurants or on the go are finding themselves in a strange new place: their kitchen. Many people are having to stay home more because of the coronavirus pandemic. In some cases that means dusting off rusty cooking skills and old family recipes. For others it means wading into brand new territory and trying to learn basic recipes. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DISTANCE LEARNING — With schools shut down for the coronavirus outbreak, districts and educators are launching a massive, unplanned test of virtual teaching. SENT: 1060 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-YOUNG AND BEWILDERED — America's young people have grown up with school shootings, social media pressures, climate change and terror attacks. But the coronavirus pandemic could test a generation in ways they have never faced. One expert likens the impact to that of the Great Depression. As they're being asked to study at home and distance socially to help their more vulnerable elders, how will they cope? SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FUNERALS — The coronavirus that has upended nearly every element of public life also has dramatically changed the way people grieve for the dead. Ministers have closed their doors to funerals. Fear of quarantine has prevented families from flying in to pay their last respects. BY Don Babwin and Amy Taxin. SENT: 980 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRAUD — Scam artists are preying on older people's fears by peddling fake tests for the coronavirus to Medicare recipients, a federal law enforcement agency warned. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 530 words, photo.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-KLOBUCHAR — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says her husband has tested positive for the coronavirus. SENT: 320 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MERKEL — German Chancellor Angela Merkel negative in first coronavirus test; spokesman says more tests will be done. SENT: 150 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-UN-CEASE-FIRE — UN chief urges immediate global cease-fire to fight COVID-19. SENT: 110 words.
TRUMP-TWITTER LAWSUIT — Supreme Court last chance for Trump to block Twitter critics. SENT: 450 words.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — Life has gotten harder for Americans. That includes President Trump. Cooped up in the White House, a frustrated president dials friends and economists around the clock to talk. He’s been deprived of the campaign he wanted to run against Joe Biden. He’s crashing more West Wing meetings - often getting in the way - and snapping at aides who deliver news that contradicts his relentless insistence the crisis will be resolved soon. By Jonathan Lemire, Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FAUCI — Dr. Anthony Fauci says he can't jump in front of the microphone to stop President Donald Trump from speaking at daily White House briefings on the coronavirus outbreak. The nation's top infectious disease expert tells Science magazine in an interview that Trump listens “even though we disagree on some things.” By Darlene Superville. SENT: 400 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TOWN HALL — Where are the sick people going? When is my test coming back? How will my business survive? Across the country, anxious Americans finding an audience for their questions -- if few answers -- in virtual, telephone town halls with their senators and representatives. It is the socially distanced version of the constituent meetings that have long been held in community centers, libraries and city halls. AP reporters listened in to 12 hours of town halls across eight states and heard dozens of voices filled with desperation, confusion and fear. By Sara Burnett. UPCOMING: 1,090 words, photos by 3 p.m.
SUPREME COURT-INSANITY DEFENSE — The Supreme Court rules that states can prevent criminal defendants from pleading insanity without violating their constitutional rights. The decision could prompt states across the country to toughen standards for defendants who wish to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. SENT: 220 words, photo. With SUPREME COURT-PIRATE SHIP — The Supreme Court sides with North Carolina in a copyright fight with a company that has documented the salvage of the pirate Blackbeard's ship off the state's coast. SENT: 300 words, photo.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-SANCTIONS — In Caracas and in Tehran, officials are calling on the Trump administration to ease crippling sanctions that they contend are contributing to the death toll caused by the coronavirus. The idea has picked up support from prominent leftists in the U.S., including presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. But while some accuse the U.S. of acting cruelly amid a pandemic, others worry that any financial lifeline would be used to line the pockets of corrupt, anti-American governments and not reach people in need. By Joshua Goodman. UPCOMING: 1,430 words, photos by 4 p.m.
AFGHANISTAN-POMPEO — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in Kabul on an urgent visit Monday to try to move forward a U.S. peace deal signed last month with the Taliban, a trip that comes despite the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when world leaders and statesmen are curtailing official travel. By Rahim Faiez and Kathy Gannon. SENT: 900 words, photos.
EGYPT-CHILDREN — An international right group says Egyptian security forces have arbitrarily arrested, forcibly disappeared and tortured children as young as 12 while prosecutors and judges turned a blind eye. Human Rights Watch says it documented abuses against 20 children who were between the age of 12 and 17 at the time of arrest. SENT: 480 words, photos.
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CALIFORNIA-WILDFIRES-UTILITY — Pacific Gas & Electric will plead guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter for a swath of death and destruction left behind after its fraying electrical grid ignited a 2018 wildfire that decimated three Northern California towns and drove the nation's largest utility into bankruptcy. SENT: 880 words, photos.
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FINANCIAL MARKETS — The Federal Reserve did what it could to help financial markets and the economy. But investors are still waiting for Congress and the White House to do the same. SENT 859 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT (sent)
JAPAN-SOFTBANK — The Japanese technology and telecoms company SoftBank plans to buy back up to 4.5 trillion yen ($41 billion) of its assets as it seeks to trim its gigantic debt burden. The company's founder, Masayoshi Son, said Monday that the move reflected “the firm and unwavering confidence we have in our business." Tokyo-based SoftBank will buy up to 2 trillion yen ($18.1 billion) of its shares. It earlier announced a 500 billion yen ($4.5 billion) share repurchase. SENT: 380 words.
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BOOKS-WOODY ALLEN: Woody Allen's memoir has been released with a new publisher. “Apropos of Nothing” was dropped last month after widespread criticism. But it came out Monday by Arcade Publishing with little advance notice and when much of the world is otherwise preoccupied with the coronavirus pandemic. By National Writer Hillel Italie. Sent. 1,000 words, photos.
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TOKYO GAMES — The Tokyo Olympics are probably going to happen, but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned. That became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement and would make a final decision within four weeks. Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not send teams if the games are staged this year. SENT: 1,010 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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