AP News Digest 7:30 a.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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ONLY ON AP
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-PUBLIC HEALTH — The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and it lacks the resources to confront the worst health crisis in a century. An investigation by The Associated Press and KHN finds that since 2010, spending for state public health departments has dropped by 16% per capita and by 18% per capita for local health departments. By Lauren Weber, Laura Ungar, Michelle R. Smith, Hannah Recht and Anna Maria Barry-Jester. SENT: 3,220 words, photos, video, graphics. An abridged version of 1,110 words is also available. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-PUBLIC HEALTH-TAKEAWAYS; VIRUS OUTBREAK-PUBLIC HEALTH-METHODOLOGY.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NURSING HOMES — A coming report from Senate Democrats finds that the Trump administration was slow to comprehend the scale of COVID-19′s impact on nursing homes and a disjointed federal response only compounded the devastating toll. The report finds a lack of coordination among government agencies that has had ongoing consequences, such as issues with access to coronavirus testing and protective equipment. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 740 words, photos.
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TRUMP’S TWO RUSSIAS — When it comes to Russia, the Trump administration just can’t seem to make up its mind. The dizzying, often contradictory, paths followed by President Donald Trump on the one hand and his hawkish but constantly changing cast of national security aides on the other have created confusion in Congress and among allies and enemies alike. By Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee. SENT: 820 words, photos. With UNITED STATES-RUSSIA-CONGRESS — Trump faces pressure over Russia bounties to kill US troops.
ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-MILITARY — The relationship between the nation’s military community and Trump has been strained repeatedly over his turbulent first term. And just four months before Election Day, real cracks are forming in the GOP’s longstanding alliance with veterans amid new reports that Trump either ignored, or was unaware of, a Russian plot to kill U.S. troops. By Steve Peoples and Sarah Blake Morgan. SENT: 910 words, photo.
TRUMP-WHAT’S MISSING-ANALYSIS — Knock it off, Russia. Wear a mask, Americans. Systemic racism must end. None of these is a particularly bold or controversial message. But such words do not come easily to Trump — and his silence is contributing to the cascading crises that now engulf the White House. By Nancy Benac. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
HONG-KONG-CHINA — Hong Kong police make their first arrests under a new national security law imposed by China’s central government, arresting at least seven people suspected of violating the legislation during protests. By Zen Soo. SENT: 1,270 words, photos. With BRITAIN-CHINA-HONG-KONG — U.K.: China’s new security law violates Hong Kong agreement; HONG KONG-CHINA-IMPOTENT WEST — Divided West can do little as China tightens up on Hong Kong; TAIWAN-HONG KONG — Taiwan opens Hong Kong migration office in rebuke to Beijing.
RUSSIA-CONSTITUTIONAL VOTE — Russia’s vote on constitutional amendments that could allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule until 2036 enters its final day amid widespread reports of pressure on voters and other irregularities. By Vladimir Isachenko. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
ISRAEL-ANNEXATION — A confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that the Israeli leader’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would not start on July 1, the original target date, as the British prime minister made an extraordinary appeal to Israel to call off the plan. By Aaron Heller. SENT: 820 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-AFRICA-VACCINE PROTEST — A protest against Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine trial is underway as experts note a worrying level of resistance and misinformation around testing on the continent. SENT: 870 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LEBANON EXPATRIATES — With Beirut’s airport partially reopening from a three-month virus shutdown, the government is hoping thousands of Lebanese expatriates will return for the summer — and bring dollars desperately needed to prop up the crashing economy. SENT: 1,010 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ASIA — Thailand begins a fifth phase of relaxations of COVID-19 restrictions, allowing the reopening of schools and high-risk entertainment venues such as pubs and massage parlors that had been shut since mid-March. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TIMBUKTU — COVID-19 has made its way to Timbuktu, whose name has long been synonymous with the ends of the Earth.
ELECTION 2020-VIRUS SPREAD — The new coronavirus first hit Democratic areas, ravaging big cities and coastal areas, but the virus’ second surge is now tearing through Republican areas and places Trump won in 2016, according to an AP analysis that suggests the political divide on the virus may be shifting. SENT: 780 words, photo, graphics.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MASK POLITICS — In Republican circles — with the notable exception of the man who leads the party — the debate about masks is over: It’s time to put one on. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPAIN-PORTUGAL — The leaders of Spain and Portugal mark the reopening of their land border, more than three months after shutting it because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Find more coverage of the Virus Outbreak in AP Newsroom.
A separate wire advisory has moved detailing the AP's complete coronavirus coverage.
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RACIAL INJUSTICE
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RACIAL INJUSTICE-POLICE TAKEDOWN — Body camera video shows Antonio Arnelo Smith handing his driver’s license to a Black police officer and answering questions cooperatively before a white officer walks up behind him, wraps him in a bear hug and slams him face-first to the ground. SENT: 740 words, photos, video. With RACIAL-INJUSTICE-TEXAS — Five officers investigated over use of force at Austin protests; RACIAL INJUSTICE-FLORIDA — White Florida officer charged in shoving of Black woman.
BELGIUM-COLONIAL PAST-LAWSUITS — Five women who were taken from their families as children in Belgian Congo and placed in a religious mission run by Catholic nuns have filed a lawsuit seeking reparations from Belgium. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
RACIAL-INJUSTICE-NIGHTCLUB-BUDDHAS — America’s nightclubs are largely closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that isn’t stopping an interfaith coalition from launching a campaign to stop what organizers call the “disrespectful” use of sacred Buddhist and Hindu statues as decor. SENT: 620 words, photos.
Find more coverage of Racial Injustice in AP Newsroom.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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DOGS-NEW BREED — American Kennel Club adds a breed, with dog shows in flux. SENT: 530 words, photo.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-EMANCIPATION STATUE — Boston to remove statue of slave kneeling before Lincoln. SENT: 410 words, photo.
FRANCE-UNESCO LOGO — UNESCO says logo being used illegally for arts trafficking. SENT: 140 words.
ENGLAND-LESLIE STATUE — Campaign for Black soccer player denied by England in 1925. SENT: 240 words.
THAILAND-SEASIDE FIRE — Fire damages elaborate mansion at seaside park in Thailand. SENT: 180 words, photos.
UNITED NATIONS-SONS OVER DAUGHTERS — U.N. says 140 million females “missing” due to son preference. SENT: 500 words.
MEXICO-CONQUEST ANNIVERSARY — Mexico re-brands 1520 Spanish defeat as “Victorious Night.” SENT: 420 words.
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RELIGION-TRUMP POLLING — About 7 in 10 white evangelical Protestants approve of Trump’s handling of his job, according to a new survey, support from a cornerstone of his political base that has remained strong following a polarizing church visit and a Supreme Court ruling on LGBT discrimination that disheartened some conservatives.
ELECTION-2020-OKLAHOMA-MEDICAID — Oklahoma voters narrowly decide to expand Medicaid health insurance to tens of thousands low-income residents, becoming the first state to amend its Constitution to do so. SENT: 500 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-OKLAHOMA Horn handily captures Democratic nod in closely watched race.
ELECTION-2020-COLORADO-PRIMARY-TIPTON-LOSES — Five-term Colorado U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton was upset in a Republican Party primary by Lauren Boebert, a pistol-packing businesswoman, ardent defender of gun rights and border wall supporter who wants to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. SENT: 420 words, photos, video. With ELECTION 2020-SENATE-COLORADO — Hickenlooper wins Colorado’s Democratic Senate primary.
Find more coverage of the 2020 U.S. Elections in AP Newsroom.
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TURKEY-HAGIA-SOPHIA — The majestic domed structure of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is now at the center of a heated debate between nationalist, conservative and religious groups who are pressing for it to be reconverted back into a mosque and those who believe the UNESCO World Heritage site should remain a museum. SENT: 820 words, photos.
EUROPE-MIGRANTS-TURKEY — Up to 60 migrants may have been trapped in a boat that sank in an eastern lake last week, Turkey’s interior minister says. SENT: 320 words.
AFGHANISTAN — The U.N. mission in Afghanistan says its findings indicate the Afghan military had mistakenly fired the mortars this week at a busy market in southern Helmand province that inflicted heavy civilian casualties. SENT: 370 words, photo.
VENEZUELA-GOLD CLAIM — The political battle over control of Venezuela turns to a $1 .8 billion stack of gold bars sitting in the Bank of England’s vault in London, where a judge is expected to decide soon on who has the rightful claim to the bullion. SENT: 740 words, photos.
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POLICE-ACCOUNTABILITY-NEW-YORK — New York City lawmakers approve an austere budget that will shift $1 billion from policing to education and social services in the coming year, acknowledging protesters’ demands to cut police spending — but falling short of what activists sought. SENT: 840 words, photos.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Global shares were mostly higher after Wall Street capped its best quarter since 1998, shrugging off continued signs of damage from the coronavirus pandemic. By Business Writer Yuri Kageyama. SENT: 690 words, photos.
CHINA-ECONOMY — China’s economy has reopened but retailers, restaurants and other businesses that employ millions of people are struggling to lure back consumers who worry about the virus and possible job losses. By Business Write Joe McDonald. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
CHINA-US-TELECOMS — China demands Washington stop “oppressing Chinese companies” after U.S. regulators declared telecom equipment suppliers Huawei and ZTE to be national security threats. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 340 words, photo.
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HARVEY WEINSTEIN-SETTLEMENT — Harvey Weinstein and his former studio’s board have reached a nearly $19 million settlement with dozens of his sexual misconduct accusers, New York state’s attorney general and lawyers in a class-action lawsuit say. SENT: 550 words, photo.
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MINOR LEAGUE SEASON CANCELED — Baseball’s minor leagues cancel their seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the head of their governing body says more than half of the 160 teams were in danger of failing without government assistance or private equity injections. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. SENT: 610 words, photo.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Courtney Dittmar (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Phil Holm (ext. 7636). Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.