AP News Digest 2:05 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
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 - Boeing and a small number of other manufacturers around the U.S. geared up to resume production this week amid pressure from President Trump to reopen the economy and resistance from governors who warn there is not enough testing yet to keep the coronavirus in check. Elsewhere around the world, step-by-step reopenings were underway in Europe, where the crisis has begun to ebb in places like Italy, Spain and Germany. By Colleen Long, Gene Johnson and Mike Corder. SENT: 1,150 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST, VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING (both sent)
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WASHINGTON — President Trump slams Democrats for playing “a very dangerous political game” by insisting there is a shortage of tests for the coronavirus, even as governors from both parties say they can’t ramp up testing without a national testing strategy to secure in-demand supplies like testing swabs. By Alan Suderman, Jill Colvin and Aamer Madhani. SENT: 890 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing, White House briefing scheduled for 5 p.m.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NURSING HOME HOTSPOT — A nursing home in an upscale section of New York City’s Brooklyn borough with 55 deaths blamed on the coronavirus has become another example of the struggle to control such outbreaks amid shortages of staff, protective equipment and testing. SENT: 990 words, photos.
CANADA-SHOOTING — Canadians mourned the shocking rampage that left 18 dead in rural communities across Nova Scotia, after a gunman disguised as a police officer opened fire on people hunkered down in their homes, setting houses ablaze in the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history. Officials said the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman, was also among the dead in the weekend attack. Police did not provide a motive for the killings. By Rob Gilles. SENT: 780 words, photos.
ISRAEL POLITICS — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival announced that they have forged a deal to form an “emergency” government, ending months of political paralysis. The deal averts what would have been a fourth consecutive election in just over a year as the country fights its coronavirus outbreak. By Tia Goldenberg. SENT: 860 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-AMAZON — The health care system in the Brazilian Amazon city of Manaus was already strained before the coronavirus pandemic. Now it is buckling under an onslaught of COVID-19 patients. Ventilators are in critically short supply, doctors bemoan a lack of protective gear, and gravediggers are increasingly overwhelmed. The concern is that Manaus could provide a grim glimpse of what lies ahead for Brazil, particularly as President Jair Bolsonaro flouts recommendations for people to stay home, and instead tells people to get back to work. By Marcelo De Sousa and David Biller. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NO SYMPTOMS — A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the new coronavirus without any symptoms. That means the virus may turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. But it also makes it tough to know who’s contagious because people who don’t feel sick can still spread the bug. By AP Chief Medical Writer Marilynn Marchione. SENT: 900 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LOSING FACE — Smile, they say, and the world smiles with you. Unless you’re wearing a mask. Then the world can’t see your smile, much less smile back. The rise of the protective face mask in our civilization — first in China, then across Europe and now in North America — has abruptly removed half the face from our human interactions. By Ted Anthony. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — The Trump administration and Congress trudge toward agreement on an aid package of more than $450 billion to boost a small-business loan program that has run out of money and add funds for hospitals and COVID-19 testing. By Andrew Taylor and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 670 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NO SYMPTOMS — A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the new coronavirus without any symptoms. That means the virus may turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. SENT: 900 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE SENIORS — For college seniors, the pandemic has taken away their housing, friend support and long-held dreams of Commencement Day. Some have been jolted into instant "adulting" as they try to support themselves or struggling family members. SENT: 830 words, photos.
MED-VIRUS OUTBREAK-CLEANING POISONINGS — Reports of accidental poisonings from cleaners and disinfectants are up sharply, and researchers believe it’s related to the coronavirus epidemic. SENT: 260 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ELDERLY VISITS — Countries across Europe are struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic with whether to allow families to visit the elderly, especially when they’re dying. At nursing homes, everything is done to keep out visitors who might be infected. Many countries ban family members from seeing their loved ones. Belgium’s prime minister argues that “people can die of loneliness,” and even Pope Francis has weighed in on the issue. SENT: 880 words, photos.
EARTH DAY-YOUNG CLIMATE ACTIVISTS -- Young climate activists galvanized their movement in 2019 with school strikes and massive global marches last September. The coronavirus pandemic has foiled plans for even larger marches on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. But they are vowing to continue the fight, using their digital devices until they can get back to their in-person organizing. By Martha Irvine and Christina Larson. 990 words, photos, video. This is the Tuesday spotlight.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ITALY LIFESAVERS-PHOTO GALLERY — Every evening, when Pasqualina Conte returns home from a draining day as a nurse in a Milan emergency room for coronavirus patients, she longs to hold her 9-year-old son, Andrea. But for 50 days and counting, the two have not hugged. SENT: 500 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — India and Singapore announced their biggest single-day spikes in new coronavirus cases on Monday, as the crisis intensifies in parts of Asia. SENT: 890 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — Iran began opening intercity highways and major shopping centers to stimulate its sanctions-choked economy, gambling that it has brought under control its coronavirus outbreak — one of the worst in the world — even as some fear it could lead to a second wave of infections. SENT: 920 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST CHILDREN — UNICEF seeks more aid for at-risk Mideast kids amid pandemic. SENT: 290 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LIVES LOST-MOTHER AND SON — For almost 30 years, a mother and son were inseparable. And death was no different. Carolyn Martins-Reitz died of the coronavirus last month, and just over a week later, so did Thomas Martins. The mother from Kearny, New Jersey, was the primary caretaker for her son, who had Down syndrome. SENT: 570 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MARIJUANA HOLIDAY — The unofficial holiday saluting all things cannabis arrives at a challenging time for the nation’s legal marijuana industry. SENT: 930 words, photos.
Eds: A separate wire advisory has also been sent detailing AP’s complete coronavirus coverage.
AP’s coronavirus podcast, “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” today is about “One Good Thing,” a weekday AP feature that highlights the kindness of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the podcast after 3 p.m. at https://appodcasts.com/category/ground-game/. Embed code is available on AP Coverage Plan.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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HARRY AND MEGHAN — The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announce they will no longer cooperate with several British tabloids. SENT: 400 words, photo.
SEVERE WEATHER-SOUTH — 2 killed by suspected tornado as storms rake South. SENT: 320 words, photos.
SOPRANOS PODCAST — Pandemic couldn’t derail new ‘Talking Sopranos’ podcast. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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SUPREME COURT-NON-UNANIMOUS JURIES — The Supreme Court rules that juries in state criminal trials must be unanimous to convict a defendant, settling a quirk of constitutional law that had allowed divided votes to result in convictions in Louisiana and Oregon. SENT: 640 words, photo.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN-BLACK CAUCUS — The Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorses Joe Biden’s presidential bid, further cementing his support among the nation’s influential black political leadership. SENT: 570 words, photos.
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ISRAEL-WORLD ANTISEMITISM — Israeli researchers say the global coronavirus outbreak has sparked a rise in anti-Semitic expression blaming Jews for the spread of the disease and the economic recession it has caused. A Tel Aviv University researchers’ annual report says attacks against Jews spiked 18% in 2019 as part of a steady rise in recent years. SENT: 560 words, photo.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-SHAKE SHACK — Some big restaurant chains have obtained loans from the government under a small-business relief program, leading business groups to cry foul even though the loans are within the guidelines of the lending program.. The $350 billion program, designed to help businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis, ran out of money Friday, leaving some small businesses shut out. Shake Shack, one of the chains that received money, says it will return its loan to give smaller restaurants a chance to get government money. SENT: 690 words, photo.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks are mixed in midday trading after Wall Street trimmed its sharp losses from earlier in the morning following another collapse in oil prices. SENT: 910 words, photos.
JAPAN-TRADE — Japan’s exports sank 11.7% in March as the coronavirus pandemic slammed auto shipments to the U.S. The Finance Ministry said Monday that exports to the U.S. fell 16.5% in March from a year earlier, while those to China declined 8.7%. Trade has slowed precipitously recently due to travel restrictions and shutdowns aimed at curbing the outbreak of the coronavirus. SENT: 329 words, photos.
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CHALLENGED BOOKS — The American Library Association releases its annual list of the most books drawing the most objections from parents and others in the local community. By AP National Writer Hillel Italie. SENT: 720 words, photos.
MUSIC-BRAD PAISLEY — Brad Paisley wants to raise a glass virtually to friends, family and frontline workers in the middle of the global pandemic — so send him a text. WIth the release of his new single, “No 1 in Beer,” he’s been surprising people on video conference calls to share a virtual happy hour. SENT: 520 words, photos. Video planned.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-IDRIS ELBA — Idris Elba says he and his wife had their lives “turned around” after contracting the coronavirus. The British actor called the experience “definitely scary and unsettling and nervous.” Elba and wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba are recovering in New Mexico and are now focused on their new roles as United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors. They are working with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on farmers and food producers in rural areas. SENT: 450 words, photo.
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TOKYO-VIRUS THREAT — A Japanese professor of infectious disease says he is “very pessimistic” the Tokyo Olympics can be held next year. Kobe University professor Kentaro Iwata says the Olympics could only be held if Japan can control the COVID-19 infection and if all other countries control it. He says “you have to invite so many athletes from many, many places, which is not very compatible with this COVID-19 infection.” SENT 690 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE SPORTS CUTS — College sports programs are already being cut and more are likely on the chopping block. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered fears of an economic meltdown on campuses around the country. In tough times, athletic administrators often drop sports programs to save money. Some observers see the coming crisis as a chance for schools to consider radical changes to how athletic departments are run. By College Sports Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 850 words, photos.
SPORTS-WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN — Baseball’s sign-stealing whistleblower would have returned to Houston and the NBA playoffs would have been in full swing. Those are among the live sporting events that will be missed this week with the national sports calendar on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. By Stephen Hawkins. SENT: 510 words, photos.
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