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AP News Digest 2:10 p.m.

Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 6 years, 6 months AGO
| March 22, 2020 11:28 AM

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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TOP STORIES

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VIRUS OUTBREAK — Italy, Iran and the United States reported soaring new death tolls as the coronavirus pandemic marched relentlessly across the globe Sunday, prompting a scramble in hard-hit regions to set up more hospital beds and replenish the dwindling medical supplies needed to keep health workers safe. By Colleen Barry and Frank Jordans. SENT: 1,360 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING, VIRUS OUTBREAK-LATEST.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Negotiations between Congress and the White House on a nearly $1.4 trillion economic rescue package teeter as the treasury secretary indicates an agreement is within reach but Democratic and Republican leaders say there’s no deal yet. President Trump calls for an agreement to steady a nation transformed by the coronavirus pandemic, while he also rips governors who have criticized his response to the crisis. By Andrew Taylor, Jonathan Lemire and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,090 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-GLANCE (Upcoming)

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ECONOMIC WHIPLASH — Never before has the U.S. economy come to such a screeching stop, so suddenly, so violently. Its shutdown has inflicted a case of whiplash on Americans who have enjoyed a decade-plus of gains from the job market, the stock market and a steady economic expansion. The economy is now set to crater into a deep recession within weeks. Millions will likely lose jobs by summer. By Paul Wiseman, Alexandra Olson and Joyce M. Rosenberg. SENT: 1,390 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-DRIVE-THRU-TESTING: Drive-thru sites have been opening around the United States to make it quicker and safer to test people for the new coronavirus. But much like the rest of the U.S. response to the pandemic, the system has been marked by inconsistencies, delays, and shortages. Many people who have symptoms and a doctor’s order have waited hours or days for a test. My Michelle R. Smith. SENT: 1,480 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE REBELS — Young German adults hold “corona parties" and cough toward older people. A Spanish man leashes a goat to go for a walk to skirt confinement orders. From France to Florida to Australia, kitesurfers, college students and others crowd the beaches. Their defiance of lockdown mandates and scientific advice to fight the coronavirus pandemic has prompted crackdowns by authorities on people trying to escape cabin fever brought on by virus restrictions.. By Elaine Ganley. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MISINFORMATION OVERLOAD — The coronavirus pandemic is leading to information overload for many people, often making it difficult to separate fact from fiction and rumor from deliberate efforts to mislead. By Barbara Ortutay and David Klepper. SENT: 910 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight.

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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VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIA — Indian migrant workers attempting to reach their home villages crowded a railway station in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, defying a 14-hour “people's curfew” that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called to stem a surge in coronavirus cases in the world's second-most populous country.. SENT: 660 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-IRAN — Iran's supreme leader refused U.S. assistance to fight the new coronavirus, citing an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming the virus could be man-made by America. SENT: 980 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIDEAST — The arrival of the coronavirus in the Gaza Strip, an impoverished enclave where the health care system has been gutted by years of conflict, raised fears the pandemic may soon prey on some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-EMIRATES-AIR — Long-haul carrier Emirates says it has dramatically cut its passenger flight destinations from 145 locations to just 13 countries. It's a pivotal move that reflects the dramatic slowdown in traffic through the airline's hub in Dubai, the world's busiest international airport, due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus. SENT: 620 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-PARENTS-AS-EDUCATORS — After her sixth-grade son's school in Buffalo, New York, closed amid the coronavirus outbreak, Roxanne Ojeda-Valentin returned to campus with shopping bags to take home textbooks and weeks' worth of assignments prepared by teachers. A single mother with a full-time job, she now joins millions of parents around the country — and the world — suddenly thrust into the role of their children's primary educators. SENT: 900 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-RETIREMENT HAVEN — Residents living in one of the largest concentrations of senior citizens in the U.S. at first blew off coronavirus concerns. But residents of The Villages in Florida say attitudes shifted this week as President Donald Trump gave warnings to avoid crowds of more than 10 people. SENT: 810 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA — Africa has received a much-needed coronavirus care package from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma. A cargo flight containing more than 6 million medical items arrived Sunday in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. SENT: 480 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA-GORILLAS — As the coronavirus infects more people around the world, conservationists are warning of the risk to another vulnerable species: Africa's endangered mountain gorilla. SENT: 790 words, photos.

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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MERKEL — German Chancellor Angela Merkel in quarantine after her doctor tests positive for coronavirus. SENT: 130 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-PLACIDO DOMINGO — Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo announces that he has coronavirus. SENT: 160 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-UK-MOTHER'S DAY — Calls, no hugs: UK moms spend Mother's Day far from family. SENT: 650 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLOMBIA PRISONS — Colombia inmates riot over virus fears; at least 23 dead. SENT: 110 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CLUB QUARANTINE — Michelle Obama, Oprah, more joined an epic (virtual) party. SENT: 210 words.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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VIRUS OUTBREAK-SENATOR — Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is the first U.S. senator to test positive for coronavirus. SENT: 100 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing.

ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-ECONOMY — The coronavirus has flung the U.S. economy into a dangerous tailspin, and President Trump's reelection hopes are caught in the sudden whirlwind. For the next seven months, Trump may be consigned to campaigning in a country beset by fear of job loss, bankruptcy and disease. Trump’s fate may rest on just how long the downturn lasts and whether Americans judge it to be an outside shock caused by nature or the result of government negligence or incompetence. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-FACT CHECK — President Trump’s claim that automakers including Ford, Trump and Tesla are making medical ventilators “fast” is misleading; automakers remain at least months away. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 4 p.m.

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INTERNATIONAL

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CROATIA-EARTHQUAKE — A strong earthquake in Croatia on caused panic, the evacuation of hospitals and widespread damage including to the capital's iconic cathedral — all amid a partial coronavirus lockdown. SENT: 720 words, photos.

NKOREA-TRUMP'S LETTER — President Trump sends a personal letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, seeking to maintain good relations and offering cooperation in fighting the viral pandemic, Kim’s sister says. The latest correspondence came as Kim observed the firing of tactical guided weapons over the weekend, drawing criticism from South Korea, as the nuclear talks remain deadlocked. SENT: 720 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ISRAEL — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political opponents asked Israel's Supreme Court to force parliament to resume its full activities, despite restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus outbreak. SENT: 780 words, photos. With LEBANON-ISRAEL — Unknown assailants shot dead a former member of an Israeli-backed Lebanese militia, security officials said. SENT: 450 words, photos.

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NATIONAL

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IMMIGRATION-REMAIN IN MEXICO — Asylum-seekers who are sent back to Mexico to wait for hearings in U.S. immigration court rarely find attorneys. The Associated Press contacted all 21 attorney's offices on a government list of free and low-cost providers in courts that handle such cases and found that only two have taken on a large load. The scarcity of attorneys helps explain why only 4% asylum-seekers subject to the “Remain in Mexico” policy won their decisions, while the nationwide rate is 29%. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-OIL SPILL MEMORIES — The coronavirus pandemic is rekindling decade-old memories of the BP oil spill along the Gulf Coast. An oil well blew out in the water off Louisiana in 2010, causing pollution that scared away visitors and virtually shut down the seafood and hospitality industries in places. SENT: 780 words, photos.

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BUSINESS

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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-PANDEMIC-BONDS — To offset the crushing costs of trying to stem a global epidemic, the World Bank and partners announced the creation of “pandemic bonds” several years ago: the idea was to leverage private capital from Wall Street firms that would help stricken poor countries. SENT: 780 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BUSINESS FALLOUT — Marriott said that it will furlough thousands of corporate employees at its U.S. headquarters and globally. The decision, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, adds to massive recent payroll reductions that began last week. SENT: 490 words, photos, video, audio.

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SPORTS

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BKC--NCAA-TOURNEY STARS — Jeff Sheppard works as a financial planner now, more than two decades removed from the time he helped Kentucky win the NCAA Tournament. Sheppard went undrafted after that glorious run and played part of one NBA season with the Atlanta Hawks in 1998-99 before playing a few years in Italy. He is not the only most outstanding player from a Final Four to play fewer than 20 games in the NBA. By Steve Megargee. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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