AP News Digest 2 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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TOP STORIES

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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Acting with exceptional resolve in an extraordinary time, the House rushed President Donald Trump a $2.2 trillion rescue package Friday, tossing a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. By Andrew Taylor, Alan Fram and Laurie Kellman. SENT: 1,390 words. UPCOMING: Developing, 1,200 words by 4 p.m., photos, video. WITH: VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-MASSIE — GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, who had threatened to slow action on the vote, has always gone his own way in Congress, ever since he first ran for office inspired by a fellow libertarian-leaning Kentuckian Rand Paul. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4 p.m., photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVY — The U.S. Navy, the military service hit hardest the coronavirus, is scrambling to contain its first at-sea outbreak, with dozens of sailors infected aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The aircraft carrier, with a crew of 5,000, has been sidelined in the Pacific, a possible harbinger of setbacks to come for a sea service that is central to the Pentagon’s strategy for confronting China. By Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns. UPCOMING: 850 words by 4 p.m., photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK — Deaths surged in Spain, troubling new outbreak sites bubbled in the United States, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the first leader of a major country to test positive for the coronavirus that has sickened more than a half-million people worldwide. By David Rising, Matt Sedensky and Jill Lawless. SENT: 1,350 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST, VIRUS OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CROWDED SOCIAL DISTANCING — As the coronavirus spreads, the World Health Organization has pointed out that the future of the pandemic will be determined by what happens in some of the world’s poorest and most densely populated countries. But what do you do if there is no space to socially distance yourself from others? From the crowded slums of Dhaka to the Palestinian enclave in the Gaza Strip, a version of the same story is playing out and the embedded inequities in society are being exposed by the disease. By Victoria Milko and Aniruddha Ghosal. SENT: 1,250 words, photos, video.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-WAY OUT — Many of the millions of Americans living under lockdown are asking — not to say screaming — when will this end? The safest way is to wait for a vaccine, but that will take too long. A quick return to business as usual is too risky. Scientists say there's a middle ground, a phased approach that will allow some communities to come back to life while staying vigilant for new outbreaks. SENT: 1,165 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-MAINE MASKS — On the coast of Maine, Eric Baldwin and his staff of two face usually spend their days selling, repairing and washing sails for boats. When the coronavirus outbreak slowed business, including a side gig creating tote bags out of surplus sailcloth, they turned their labor and sewing machines to a different task: making cotton masks for caregivers and others who need protection from the disease. By Leanne Italie. SENT: 745 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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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-CHIEF OF STAFF — It's been a highly unusual balancing act for Mark Meadows: The North Carolina congressman helped secure the largest aid package in the nation's history, while simultaneously serving as de facto White House chief of staff. Meadows is expected to formally resign his House seat in the coming days and enter the White House maelstrom full time. UPCOMING: 800 words by 4:30 p.m., photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP — President Donald Trump is increasingly shifting blame to state and local leaders as coronavirus cases top 86,000 nationwide. Lashing out at governors and questioning the extent of their requests for help on responding to the virus, Trump says the federal government is only a “backup,” as he looks to avoid political costs from the epidemic. UPCOMING: 800 words by 5 p.m., photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-CLEANING HOUSE — They sprayed. They wiped. In at least two cases, they donned gloves. Beset by coronavirus, Congress gives new meaning to the age-old campaign vow to clean House. UPCOMING: 750 words by 4 p.m., photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the new coronavirus, but he insisted Friday that he remains in charge of the U.K.'s response to the outbreak. Two of Johnson's top aides in the fight against the virus — his health secretary and top medical adviser — also said they had the disease. SENT: 950 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE UNITY — Tempers are fraying in the European Union over the best way to combat the economic havoc wrought by the coronavirus. SENT: 800 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ITALY'S TOLL — Doctors and nurses in Italy's overwhelmed northern hospitals are cautiously optimistic about a slight stabilizing in coronavirus infections this week, but the virus is continuing its silent spread south two weeks into an extreme nationwide shutdown. SENT: 1,390 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TWO SAN FRANCISCOS — A global pandemic may know no boundaries. But how you survive the upheaval may depend in large part on your paycheck. For San Francisco lawyer Rebecca Biernat, a mother of three, it means working from home, her kids doing online school and enjoying a slower pace of life and time together. For hotel housekeeper Sonia Bautista, the world is spiraling out of control. SENT: 1,630 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCRAMBLE FOR TESTS — Some political leaders are hailing a potential breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19: simple pin-prick blood tests or nasal swabs that can determine within minutes if someone has, or previously had, the virus. The tests could reveal the true extent of the outbreak and help separate the healthy from the sick. But some scientists have challenged their accuracy. SENT: 1,170 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-IRAN-A DEADLY DRINK — Iranian media report nearly 300 people have been killed and more than 1,000 sickened so far by ingesting methanol across the Islamic Republic, where drinking alcohol is banned and where those who do rely on bootleggers. An Iranian doctor helping the country's Health Ministry tells The Associated Press the problem was even greater, giving a death toll of around 480 with 2,850 people sickened. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA — A three-week lockdown has begun in South Africa as the country announced its first coronavirus deaths and cases rose well above 1,000. SENT: 860 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CANADA — The Canadian government is increasing a payroll subsidy to small- and medium-sized businesses to now cover up to 75 percent of salaries amid the pandemic. SENT: 280 words.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAPAN-CHERRY BLOSSOMS — Japan's cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but flower viewing has come to an abrupt halt in Tokyo because of the coronavirus. SENT: 250 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE DOCTOR'S STORY — As an emergency medicine physician in New York City, Dr. Kamini Doobay has always known that death is part of the territory when trying to care for the city's sickest. But it hasn't always been like this — patients hit the hardest by the coronavirus, struggling to breathe and on ventilators, with no visitors allowed because of strict protocols to prevent spreading the virus. SENT: 520 words, photos, video.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-OUTDOOR RISKS — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's decision to shut down the trails along Lake Michigan and nearby parks during the coronavirus crisis underscores a growing concern that the large crowds of people flocking to beaches, parks and playgrounds are making it easier for the virus to spread. All over the country, outdoor spots have only grown more crowded since stores, restaurants and schools have closed their doors and officials have issued stay-at-home orders. SENT: 999 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COUPLES — With all the havoc it's wreaking across the globe, the coronavirus outbreak is naturally having an impact on couples and their relationships. Family therapists are conducting sessions remotely as patients are confined to their homes. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.

AP’s coronavirus podcast, “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” today looks at the evolving nature of language and why words matter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the podcast at 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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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MOVIE CONTAGION — The stars of the 2011 thriller “Contagion” — a prescient film these days — have reunited for a series of public service announcements to warn about COVID-19. SENT: 270 words, photo.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FALLS — A truck collided with a pedestrian bridge in Detroit, sending a portion of the span onto a freeway and blocking traffic. SENT: 315 words, photos.

TEXAS ONLINE THREATS — A Texas man faces federal charges after he made online posts threatening Democrats, including U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, authorities said. SENT: 125 words.

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NATIONAL

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SUBWAY FIRE — A New York City subway driver was killed and several other people were injured early Friday in a fire on a train that is being investigated as a crime, officials said. Fires were reported at three other stations nearby at the same time, police said. SENT: 350 words, photos.

COLD CASE-COUPLE KILLED — A judge has ruled that an 83-year-old man charged with killing a camping couple in a Wisconsin park in 1976 is not mentally competent to stand trial. SENT: 220 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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RELIGION-TRANSGENDER ACTIVIST — At 20, Malak el-Kashif is perhaps Egypt’s most outspoken transgender woman activist. It’s a label that in a largely conservative and patriarchal society has meant battling a war on multiple fronts. SENT: 1,700 words, photos.

VENEZUELA-SATELLITE — Venezuela’s only telecommunications satellite has veered off its orbit and stopped working, creating a logistical headache for the cash-strapped South American nation. SENT: 600 words, photos.

NATO-NORTH MACEDONIA — North Macedonia has officially became the 30th member of the NATO military alliance. SENT: 320 words.

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BUSINESS __________________

FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks fell on Wall Street as investors waited for Congress to deliver a big financial rescue package aimed at cushioning ailing businesses and households from the coronavirus crisis. The selling erased some of the market's gains after a strong three-day rally that has the major stock indexes on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks. SENT: 800 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-RELIEF BILL-ECONOMIC LIFELINE — The record $2.2 trillion emergency package approved by Congress is aimed at businesses and families facing a coronavirus cash crunch. Congress will be sending checks directly to families, expanding benefits for the unemployed and offering incentives to businesses to keep workers on the payroll. SENT: 1,500 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-RESTAURANTS ADAPT — With business sinking under coronavirus outbreak restrictions, restaurants are transforming operations and menus to try to stay afloat. SENT: 750 words, photos, video.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BANGLADESH-GARMENTS — A survey of factory owners in Bangladesh has found that major fashion retailers that are closing shops and laying off workers in Europe and the U.S. are also canceling their sometimes already completed orders, as workers often go unpaid. SENT: 940 words, photos.

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SPORTS

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OLY--TOKYO-POSTPONEMENT-Q&A — The Tokyo Olympics have been moved to next year, leaving countless questions, starting with when they begin. The unknowns revolve around not only the 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes, but contracts, housing, travel and volunteers. By Stephen Wade. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.

OLY--VIRUS OUTBREAK-FUNDING CRISIS — The sports organizations that make up the backbone of the Olympics in the U.S. are veering toward crisis after canceling more than 8,000 events and projecting more than $121 million in lost revenue because of coronavirus-related disruptions. By National Writer Eddie Pells. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.

BKN--NBA-KEEPING FIT — Most NBA players don’t have access to basketball courts now. Every team training facility is shuttered, and health clubs and gyms are off-limits. But somehow, workouts must continue. It’s a new challenge for NBA teams. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 4 p.m..

BKC--NCAA-LIVE TWEETING REPLAYS —With the coronavirus wiping out the NCAA Tournament, networks are broadcasting some great games from March Madness. Many of the players and coaches from those games are live tweeting the replays. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 4 p.m.

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HOW TO REACH US

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