AP News Digest 6:30 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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NEW/DEVELOPING
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UNITED STATES-IRAN-LEVINSON — The family of retired FBI agent Robert Levinson says U.S. government officials have concluded that he died in Iranian custody. SENT: 50 words, photo. UPCOMING: Developing.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-WATCHING AT HOME, listed on the 2 p.m. digest, will not move today.
Adds VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA, VIRUS OUTBREAK-ELECTIONS, BRITAIN-UNITED STATES-JIHADI TRIAL, TRANSGENDER ATHLETES-HIGH SCHOOL, OBIT-DARIUS SWANN, VIRUS OUTBREAK-TONY AWARDS.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — Senate leaders race to unravel last-minute snags and win passage of an unparalleled $2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history, and both parties' leaders are desperate for quick passage. By Andrew Taylor and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,370 words, photos, video. UPCOMING: Developing through the night, timing of Senate vote uncertain, 1,500 words by 10 p.m. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-GLANCE — What’s in the bill. SENT: 720 words, photos, graphic.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT — New U.S. government figures to be released Thursday are expected to shatter the old record for the greatest number of new unemployment claims filed in a single week. Some states are warning that it could take longer than normal to receive unemployment payments because of the surge in claims. By David A. Lieb and Rebecca Santana. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK — Just days after New Yorkers were pushing onto crowded subways and elevators, authorities mobilize to head off a potential public health disaster, the city's emergence as the nation's biggest coronavirus hot spot a warning flare for the rest of the country. By Jennifer Peltz and Colleen Long. SENT: 900 words, photos, With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-WHAT'S HAPPENING — What you need to know today about the outbreak. SENT: 700 words, photos; VIRUS OUTBREAK-NY TRAJECTORY — Experts ponder causes of New York's “breathtaking" outbreak. SENT: 660 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPAIN-HEALTH WORKERS — The coronavirus is waging a war of attrition against health care workers around the world. In Spain, doctors and nurses complain of shortages of the equipment necessary to shield them from contagion. By Joseph Wilson and Artiz Parra. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-EASTER — President Donald Trump’s so-called beautiful idea to reopen the U.S. economy by Easter Sunday and pack church pews was dreamed up during a conference call among business leaders desperate to get the country back up and running. But his target date for easing coronavirus restrictions is another outstretched hand to a group he has long courted: evangelical Christians. By Jill Colvin and Elana Schor. SENT: 1,050 words, photo.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
ELECTION 2020-BIDEN-WOMEN — Joe Biden's status as Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting means the party will choose another man for an office never held by a woman. But he is running with plenty of women behind him — including a yet-to-be-named vice presidential running mate. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 1,240 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-BIDEN — Biden says congressional coronavirus aid package “goes a long way” — but not far enough in some instances. SENT: 660 words, photos.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRINCE CHARLES — Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, tests positive for the new coronavirus. SENT: 810 words, photos.
MUSIC LIBRARY OF CONGRESS — Dr. Dre's classic debut rap album “The Chronic" is among 25 recordings being inducted to the National Recording Registry. SENT: 200 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ONE GOOD THING-VET VENTILATORS — Veterinarians donate vital supplies to coronavirus fight. SENT: 870 words, photos, video.
OBIT-FLOYD CARDOZ — Chef Floyd Cardoz, a “Top Chef Masters” winner who operated restaurants in both India and New York, has died of complications from the coronavirus, his company says. He was 59.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-RURAL AMERICA — The pandemic's toll in big cities like New York, Seattle and San Francisco has dominated headlines, but large swaths of rural America are also deeply affected. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MIGRANTS — Pressure is mounting on the Trump administration to release some of the nearly 40,000 migrants held around the country after at least one detainee and two detention center staff members test positive for the coronavirus. SENT: 1,070 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE NEW SACRIFICE — With the coronavirus, it's as though a natural disaster has taken place in multiple places at once. Will America step up as it enters what one prominent historian calls “a new moment”? SENT: 1,170 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOVERNOR'S DILEMMA — The nation's struggle to protect both lives and the economy during the coronavirus outbreak is on full display in Florida. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONTAGIOUS GAME — A Champions League soccer match more than a month ago may have helped accelerate the spread of the coronavirus in Italy and Spain. SENT: 1,370 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CALIFORNIA — California's governor says four of the nation's largest banks have agreed to temporarily suspend mortgage payments for state residents affected by the coronavirus. SENT: 540 words, photos.
AP’s CORONAVIRUS PODCAST, “Ground Game: Inside the Outbreak,” today looks at how funerals can’t be held in Italy, where COVID-19 has killed more people than anywhere in the world. Listen to the podcast t https://appodcasts.com/category/ground-game/. Embed code is available on AP Coverage Plan.
Eds: A separate wire advisory has moved detailing our complete coronavirus coverage.
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ELECTION 2020-DEBATE — There is no 12th Democratic primary debate on the horizon, with the presidential nominating process in a holding pattern amid the coronarvirus pandemic. SENT: 530 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-ELECTIONS — States could receive $400 million in federal funds to help them navigate the significant disruption to U.S. elections caused by the virus outbreak. SENT: 680 words, photos.
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RUSSIA-PUTIN — Citing the coronavirus, Russian President Vladimir Putin postpones a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that include a change potentially allowing him to stay in office until 2036. SENT: 960 words, photos.
BRITAIN-UNITED STATES-JIHADI TRIAL — A court bars Britain's government from providing U.S. prosecutors with evidence against two Islamic State militants suspected in the beheadings of Western hostages, citing the prospect the men could face the death penalty. SENT: 480 words.
AFGHANISTAN — A lone Islamic State gunman rampages through a Sikh house of worship in the heart of the Afghan capital, killing 25 worshipers and wounding eight. SENT: 960 words, photos.
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SEVERE-WEATHER-SOUTH — A suspected tornado heavily damages a store in northern Mississippi and other structures along the border with Alabama as severe storms cross the Deep South. SENT: 320 words, photos, video.
TRANSGENDER ATHLETES-HIGH SCHOOL — The Justice Department is getting involved in a civil rights lawsuit that seeks to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from competing as girls in interscholastic sports. SENT: 490 words, photo.
OBIT-DARIUS SWANN — The Rev. Darius L. Swann, whose challenge to the notion of segregated public schools helped spark the use of busing to integrate schools across the country, has died at his Virginia home. He was 95. SENT: 450 words.
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Stocks score their first back-to-back gains since a brutal sell-off began five weeks ago, but much of an early rally fades as a last-minute dispute threatens to hold up a $2 trillion economic rescue package in Congress. SENT: 950 words, photos.
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EMPTY BALLPARKS — Instead of MLB’s opening day, ballparks are empty with the start of the season on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 840 words, photos.
EXPANDED PLAYOFFS — With the NFL set to add a seventh playoff team in each conference this season, here's a look at how that would have played out in past seasons. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-TONY AWARDS — With Broadway shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, producers of the annual Tony Awards postpone this year's celebration of American theater. SENT: 220 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Mike Stewart can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, 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.