AP News Digest 3:10 a.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 4 years, 9 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-TRUMP-SCIENCE — President Donald Trump’s comment about injecting disinfectant to fight coronavirus is just the latest in a long list of comments and actions that run contrary to mainstream science. He’s gone against scientific and medical advice by staring at an eclipse without protection, calling climate change a hoax and saying wind turbines cause cancer. By Science Writer Seth Borenstein. SENT: 750 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — Trump’s tendency to toss out unproven ideas for fighting COVID-19 triggers an outcry from public health officials. SENT: 1,270 words, photos, video.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. states of Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska began loosening lockdown orders on their pandemic-wounded businesses, even as the confirmed U.S. death toll from the coronavirus soared past 50,000 and despite warnings from health experts that such steps may be coming too early. By Russ Bynum and David Crary. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BLOOMBERG — Nearly two months after ending his presidential campaign, Mike Bloomberg is again deploying his massive personal fortune – this time to combat the coronavirus. The billionaire businessman is spending tens of millions on a variety of local and international initiatives aimed at halting the spread of the virus and supporting first responders. By Alexandra Jaffe and Jonathan Lemire. SENT: 980 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA-ISLAMOPHOBIA — India’s government is blaming an Islamic missionary meeting for a surge in coronavirus cases, triggering a wave of violence, business boycotts and hate speech toward Muslims that experts warn could worsen the pandemic in the world’s second-most populous country. By Aniruddha Ghosal, Sheikh Saaliq and Emily Schmall. SENT: 950 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PEACE CORPS — The Peace Corps has evacuated about 7,000 volunteers from 60 countries because of the global pandemic. Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen says the decision to suspend operations was difficult and says the organization is already planning for the time when operations can resume. By Jacquelyn Martin. SENT: 870 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-GAZA-MASKS-FOR-ISRAEL — For the first time in years, sewing factories in the Gaza Strip are back to working at full capacity — producing masks, gloves and protective gowns, some of which are bound for Israel. SENT: 840 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DISABLED CHILDREN — Coronavirus lockdown is proving a particularly tough ordeal for children with disabilities and their families. Special schools and support programs have been shut down. After weeks of lockdown, a 14-year-old French boy with autism took a pickax to the wall of his house with the hope that he could finally go out. SENT: 940 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AIRCRAFT CARRIER — Officials say the top Navy officer has recommended the reinstatement of the aircraft carrier captain fired for sending a fraught email to commanders pleading for faster action to protect his crew from a coronavirus outbreak. By Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns. SENT: 870 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — Sri Lanka has reimposed a countrywide 24-hour curfew after a surge in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, most of them navy sailors who were hunting those evading quarantine. The 46 new infections were the highest in a day. They brought to 420 the number of COVID-19 patients in the Indian Ocean island, including seven deaths. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL — Cases of the new coronavirus are overwhelming hospitals, morgues and cemeteries across Brazil as Latin America’s largest nation veers closer to becoming one of the world’s pandemic hot spots. Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and at least four other major cities have warned that their hospital systems are on the verge of collapse, or already too overwhelmed to take any more patients. By David Biller, Diane Jeantet and Leo Correa. SENT: 930 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA-SUBSIDIZED-MEALS — California restaurants will get taxpayer money to feed millions of seniors during the coronavirius pandemic, but only if they can offer meals with fresh fruit, vegetables and no sugary drinks. SENT: 650 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-RED-CROSS — The head of the world’s largest humanitarian network urged governments Friday to start thinking about tackling the economic damage from the coronavirus with something like the Marshall Plan used by the United States to help countries recover after World War II. SENT: 550 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHISTLEBLOWER — A management breakdown led to some federal employees being sent to help American evacuees from the coronavirus epidemic in China without proper protective equipment, federal investigators have concluded. Friday’s report from investigators at the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed central allegations from a government whistleblower who complained in February that some HHS employees were deployed without adequate protection while others arrived with full gear. SENT: 490 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TEXAS — A handful of Texas businesses reopened Friday in defiance of state guidance in the fight against the coronavirus, which allows retailers to offer “to go” service but leaves other restrictions in place. SENT: 610 words, photos.
A separate advisory has been sent detailing AP's complete pandemic coverage.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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OBIT-HAROLD REID — Harold Reid, Statler Brothers bass singer, dies at 80. SENT: 280 words, photos.
RACIAL KILLINGS TRIAL — California man guilty of killing 4 in race-related rampage. SENT: 380 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-MEXICO-US PLANTS — Mexico says auto factories to reopen with virus safeguards. SENT: 300 words.
AUSTRALIA-ANZAC DAY — On Anzac Day, services in lockdown replaced by home vigils. SENT: 320 words.
MEXICO VIRUS OUTBREAK-CUBAN DOCTORS — Mexico receives 2nd group of Cuban doctors for virus help. SENT: 160 words, photos.
RUSSIA SPACE STATION — Russian cargo ship docks with space station. SENT: 70 words.
CRI-GOING LIVE IN VANUATU — A rarity: cricket goes live in Vanuatu in the South Pacific. SENT: 290 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHITE HOUSE BRIEFINGS — briefing on Friday without taking any questions from reporters. It may not be the last time. There have been discussions within the White House about changing the format of the briefings to curtail the president’s role, according to four White House officials and Republicans close to the White House who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. SENT: 460 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-DHS-BRYAN — The senior Department of Homeland Security official who was thrust into the spotlight by President Donald Trump to describe the effects of temperature on COVID-19 has been the subject of misconduct allegations for his previous government work. SENT: 750 words, photos.
ABORTION-KENTUCKY — Kentucky’s Democratic governor vetoed legislation that would have given the state’s anti-abortion attorney general new authority to regulate abortion clinics. The measure cleared the GOP-dominated legislature in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session. As a result, lawmakers won’t have an opportunity to override Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto.
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BORDER WALL-CONSTRUCTION PUSHBACK — The federal government is proceeding with plans for a border wall even as communities where construction is ongoing protest the presence of workers, according to court documents. SENT: 600 words, photos.
BOYS SCOUT BANKRUPTCY-HAWAII — Eight men were sexually abused when they were Boy Scouts in Hawaii in the 1960s and 1970s, they alleged in a lawsuit as the state’s window closed on allowing child sex abuse claims that would have been barred under a statute of limitations. SENT: 570 words.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Stocks rose on Wall Street, led by familiar names in technology including Apple. The S&P 500 climbed 1.4%, but still ended the week lower, breaking a two-week winning streak. By Business Writers Stan Choe, Damian J. Troise and Alex Veiga. SENT: 920 words, photos.
TRUMP-POSTAL SERVICE — President Donald Trump said Friday that he won’t approve a $10 billion loan for the U.S. Postal Service unless the agency raises charges for Amazon and other big shippers to four to five times current rates. SENT: 550 words, photo.d
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIDEO CHAT WAR — With people’s social lives moved indefinitely online, a bevy of tech companies want to unseat fast-rising Zoom from its perch, given security concerns and other issues with the video-calling service. There’s Houseparty, Jitsy, along with offerings from Google and Microsoft. By Technology Writer Barbara Ortutay. SENT: 900 words.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEDIA — President Donald Trump’s suggestion that doctors look into injecting disinfectant as a potential coronavirus treatment went unchallenged on Fox News Channel until the morning after he made it. By Media Writer David Bauder. SENT: 650 words, photo.
FILM-SUPERHERO-RELEASE-DATES — Hollywood studios are shuffling more release dates as a result of the coronavirus, including sequels to “Doctor Strange,” “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and “Into the Spider-Verse.” Both Sony Pictures and The Walt Disney Co. announced updated theatrical release schedules that significantly delay some of their marquee superhero films. By Film Writer Lindsey Bahr. SENT: 180 words, photos.
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FBN—NFL DRAFT — While only one quarterback, Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, was taken in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, the guys who haul in passes were everywhere. Starting with the top two selections on Day 2 — Clemson’s Tee Higgins to Cincinnati and Southern California’s Michael Pittman to Indianapolis — seven wideouts were drafted. Add that to the six who went in the opening session, and it set an NFL record through two rounds. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 820 words, photos.
OBIT-DALKOWSKI — Steve Dalkowski, a hard-throwing, wild left-hander whose minor league career inspired the creation of Nuke LaLoosh in the movie “Bull Durham,” has died. He was 80. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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