AP News Digest 6:35 p.m.
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 6 months AGO
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NEW/DEVELOPING
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Adds FEDERAL PRISONS-GUN SEARCH, VIRUS OUTBREAK-INSURANCE COVERAGE, VIRUS OUTBREAK-TESTING, VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT, VIRUS OUTBREAK-ITALY FAMILIES, ELECTION 2020-BLOOMBERG, KLOBUCHAR-JUVENILE LIFER-BURRELL, SEVERE WEATHER-TENNESSEE WARNINGS, SEVERE WEATHER-TENNESSEE-VICTIMS, ROBERT DURST-MURDER TRIAL, OBIT-HENRY COBB, SCI-MARS ROVER
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ONLY ON AP
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FEDERAL PRISONS-GUN SEARCH — The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into potential misconduct by guards as officials keep inmates locked down at the federal jail in New York where financier Jeffrey Epstein killed himself last summer, people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press. By Michael Balsamo and Michael R. Sisak. SENT: 810 words, photo.
CHINA-UIGHURS-FORCED-TO-WORK — In a lively Muslim quarter of Nanchang city, a sprawling Chinese factory turns out computer screens, cameras and fingerprint scanners for a supplier to international tech giants such as Apple and Lenovo. The mostly Muslim ethnic Uighurs who labor in the factory are isolated within a walled compound that is fortified with security cameras and guards at the entrance. Their forays out are limited to rare chaperoned trips, they are not allowed to worship or cover their heads, and they must attend special classes in the evenings, according to former and current workers and shopkeepers in the area. By Dake Kang and Yanan Wang. SENT: 2,650 words, photos. With abridged.
ELECTION 2020-BLACK VOTERS — Black voters propel Joe Biden to huge victories in the South on Super Tuesday, giving his campaign a momentous boost and cementing his front-runner status in the Democratic presidential race. According to AP VoteCast surveys, black voters strongly aligned behind Biden over other candidates. By Kat Stafford and Hannah Fingerhut. SENT: 870 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK — The global march of the new virus triggered a vigorous appeal Thursday from the World Health Organization for governments to pull out “all the stops” to slow the epidemic, as it drained color from India's spring festivities, closed Bethlehem's Nativity Church and blocked Italians from visiting elderly relatives in nursing homes. By Matt Sedensky and John Leicester. SENT: 1,190 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING; VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST (both sent).
VIRUS OUTBREAK-US — Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered a cruise ship with 3,500 people aboard to stay back from the California coast until passengers and crew can be tested, after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the disease and at least two others became infected. SENT: 930 words, photos.
Find more all-format coverage on the coronavirus outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
ELECTION 2020-WARREN — Elizabeth Warren ends her once-promising presidential campaign after failing to finish higher than third place in any of the 18 states that have weighed in on the Democratic contest. The Massachusetts senator says she is proud of her bid, but she disappointed that a formerly diverse field is now down to two men. By Will Weissert. SENT: 1,030 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-WOMEN — Democratic women come to terms with a painful reality: If 2019 was the Year of the Woman, 2020 is another Year of the Man. By Jocelyn Noveck. SENT: 1,530 words, photos.
ELECTION 2020-PROGRESSIVES — It took Joe Biden's moderate rivals just hours to unite behind him after they left the presidential race, but Bernie Sanders hasn't been so fortunate. Elizabeth Warren is one of Sanders' closest ideological allies, but she declined to immediately endorse anyone after suspending her campaign. By Steve Peoples and Alan Fram. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
SYRIA-SUMMIT — The presidents of Russia and Turkey said they reached agreement on a cease-fire to begin at midnight Thursday in northwestern Syria, where escalating fighting had threatened to put forces from the two countries into direct conflict. By Vladimir Isachenkov and Suzan Fraser. SENT: 1,260 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Fear dominated financial markets again, and stocks fell sharply on worries about the fast-spreading virus outbreak. It's the latest shudder in Wall Street's most volatile week in more than eight years. By Stan Choe and Damian J. Troise. SENT: 910 words, photo,s.
REL--RELIGION-MARION MARCH — As the 55th anniversary of the civil rights clash known as Bloody Sunday approaches, townspeople in Alabama want to remind the world that the road to Selma began in a place called Marion. In 1965, in what has become a footnote to history, a young black man by the name of Jimmie Lee Jackson was fatally shot at a protest in Marion. It was that killing that sent hundreds of people to Selma for a march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge two weeks later. By Gary Fields. SENT: 1,370 words, photos.
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MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-INSURANCE COVERAGE — U.S. officials say Medicare, Medicaid, and "Obamacare” insurance plans will cover lab tests for coronavirus, but people with employer insurance should check with their providers. SENT: 840 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TESTING — Trump administration officials doubled down on their promise to deliver 1 million tests for the coronavirus this week as states reported limited testing supplies and federal lawmakers expressed doubts about the government's timeline. Matthew Perrone and Mike Stobbe. SENT: 910 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — The Senate passes an $8.3 billion measure to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government's response. SENT: 790 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-PENCE — Vice President Mike Pence visits Minnesota and Washington state as he coordinates the U.S. response to the new coronavirus. SENT: 360 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ITALY FAMILIES — The Italian government has urged the elderly to stay home and restricted visits to nursing homes to contain the spread of the coronavirus among the most vulnerable. But Italian grandparents were out in force Thursday in Italy's parks and playgrounds, stepping in as last-minute baby-sitters after the government canceled school nationwide. The paradox wasn't lost on the grandparents, who realized they were essentially ignoring the government's recommendations by helping out their families. SENT: 540 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-QUARANTINE MOTEL — Hard surfaces, easy-to-clean floors and separate heating-and-cooling units in each room: The amenities offered by the suburban EconoLodge motel may not be fancy, but they were just what Seattle-area officials say they were looking for in a quarantine facility for coronavirus patients. SENT: 580 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-RELIGION — A rising number of churches across the United States are making changes in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including a decision by numerous Catholic dioceses to suspend the serving of wine during Communion. By National Writer David Crary. SENT: 1,130 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — Palestinian officials closed the storied Church of the Nativity in the biblical city of Bethlehem indefinitely over fears of the new coronavirus, weeks ahead of the busy Easter holiday season. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHO-EMERGENCY RESPONSE — In Dubai, seven World Health Organization workers are racing to sort, package and send out hundreds of shipments of medical supplies to countries around the world. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-JOBS — Companies and consumers have scrapped travel plans, and factories have endured broken supply chains from the coronavirus outbreak. If employers were to respond by slashing jobs, it would significantly escalate the economic damage. By Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 720 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT — Virus ripples through travel, energy, financial markets. SENT: 1,110 words, photos.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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PEOPLE-KATY PERRY — Katy Perry has revealed she's pregnant in a very show business way. The 35-year-old pop star showed off her growing baby bump at the end of the video for her latest song “Never Worn White.” SENT: 125 words, photo.
SCI-MARS ROVER — Meet Perseverance: Mars rover gets name ahead of July launch. SENT: 290 words, photos.
SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS-LIL BABY — Atlanta rapper Lil Baby surprised students at his former high school with a performance and $150,000 to establish a scholarship program. SENT: 120 words.
OBIT-HENRY COBB — Henry Cobb, architect of Boston's Hancock Tower, dies at 93. SENT: 330 words, photo.
R KELLY — R&B singer R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to an updated federal indictment that includes sex abuse allegations involving a new accuser. SENT: 285 words, photo.
OBIT-GOLER — Wendell Goler, a longtime White House correspondent for Fox News Channel who reported on government since the presidency of Ronald Reagan, has died at age 70. SENT: 200 words, photos.
FLORIDA-DEATH ROW CASE — Judge tries tactic to get inmate to talk: Send in Mom. SENT: 470 words, photo.
FACE BITING-ATTACK — A prosecution psychiatrist says a Florida college student was legally insane when he fatally attacked a couple outside their home, chewing off part of the man's face. SENT: 830 words.
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TRUMP — President Trump fields questions at a rare television town hall in the battleground state of Pennsylvania that will air on his favorite TV network, Fox News. SENT: 370 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing from 6:30 p.m. event.
ELECTION 2020-BLOOMBERG — Mike Bloomberg is out of the Democratic presidential race but will keep operations going in six battleground states with the goal of defeating President Trump. SENT: 340 words, photo.
SUPREME COURT-ROBERTS-SCHUMER — Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says he “should not have used the words I used” when he declared in front of the Supreme Court that two justices would “pay the price” for their decision in an abortion case. SENT: 360 words, photos.
KLOBUCHAR-JUVENILE LIFER-BURRELL — Sen. Amy Klobuchar has asked the top prosecutor in Hennepin County to initiate an independent investigation into the case of Myon Burrell, a black Minnesota teen sentenced to life after an 11-year-old black girl was killed by a stray bullet. SENT: 450 words, photoso.
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY-IDAHO — Idaho last year was the fastest-growing state in the nation, with close to 37,000 new residents boosting its population to nearly 1.8 million. In the past decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the deeply conservative state has seen a population jump of more than 200,000. Studies indicate many have come from liberal-leaning California, Oregon and Washington. SENT: 675 words, photos.
ELECTION-2020-RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE — Four years after Russia-linked groups stoked divisions in the U.S. presidential election on social media platforms, a new report shows that Moscow's campaign hasn't let up and has become harder to detect. The report from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Young Mie Kim found that Russia-linked social media accounts are posting about the same divisive issues — race relations, gun laws and immigration — as they did in 2016, when the Kremlin polluted American voters’ feeds with messages about the presidential election. SENT: 890 words, photo.
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SEVERE WEATHER-TENNESSEE WARNINGS — As Tennessee heals after tornadoes ripped across the state, knowing just how many people received a heads up before the storm hit in the wee hours of the night will likely remain a mystery. Emergency officials say the warning systems worked properly. There have not been reports of failures in getting information as quickly as possible. But they said there is no way of knowing who received the warning. SENT: 820 words, photos. With SEVERE WEATHER-TENNESSEE — In the Tennessee community hardest hit by devastating tornadoes, the few houses still standing have become beacons of hope. SENT: 720 words, photos, video; SEVERE WEATHER-TENNESSEE-VICTIMS (sent)
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR - More men have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by a late doctor at the University of Michigan, as the state's attorney general insisted that the school must commit to cooperating with her office before she would move to begin an independent investigation. SENT: 800 words, photos, video.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-WEINSTEIN — Harvey Weinstein was moved to an infirmary unit at New York City's notorious Rikers Island jail complex after undergoing a heart procedure at the hospital where he'd been held since his conviction last month on rape and sexual assault charges. SENT: 510 words, photos.
ROBERT DURST-MURDER TRIAL — Prosecutors in Los Angeles say the woman killed by real estate heir Robert Durst sealed her fate when she told him she would talk to detectives about the disappearance of his wife 18 years earlier. SENT: 850 words, photos.
TRANSFORMED ON RUNWAY-PHOTO GALLERY — On a winter’s night, 40 people -- trans men, trans women and others who do not fit easily into any category, models ranging in age from 8 to 78 -- walk the runway at a fashion show where the focus is on the models more than the clothes they wear. SENT: 500 words, photos.
BOSTON MASSACRE-ANNIVERSARY — Solemn ceremonies and a protest marked the 250th anniversary of the massacre in Boston that helped spark the Revolutionary War. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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ISRAEL-ELECTION — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again fallen short of a parliamentary majority with his hard-line allies, final election results confirmed Thursday, extending the country's year-old political deadlock and weakening the longtime leader as he prepares to go on trial for corruption charges. SENT: 670 words, photos.
BRITAIN-DUBAI PRINCESS — The ruler of Dubai conducted a campaign of fear and intimidation against his estranged wife and ordered the abduction of two of his daughters, a British judge ruled in documents that were unsealed Thursday. SENT: 690 words, photos.
TURKEY-GREECE — Turkey is sending elite special operations police to the border to stop Greek officers from driving back people who try to cross over to Europe, Turkish authorities say. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
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UAW-CORRUPTION — Prosecutors charged the former president of the United Auto Workers with corruption, alleging he plotted with others to embezzle more than $1 million to splurge on private villas, golf outings, boozy meals and horseback rides on beaches. SENT: 670 words, photos.
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BKN--RAPTORS-WARRIORS — Stephen Curry is set to return for Golden State after missing more than four months and 58 games. The two-time NBA MVP broke his left hand Oct. 30. This is the first time the Warriors are playing Toronto since the Raptors won the NBA title last June. By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts 10:30 p.m.
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