AP News Digest 3 a.m.
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TOP STORIES
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POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA — Police clashed with protesters for a second night in the Minneapolis suburb where an officer who authorities say apparently intended to fire a Taser not a handgun, fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop. Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon described the shooting death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright as “an accidental discharge.” The shooting sparked protests and unrest in an area already on edge because of the trial of the first of four police officers charged in George Floyd’s death. By Mohamed Ibrahim and Mike Householder. SENT: 1,050 words, photos, videos. With EXPLAINING POLICE SHOOTING-MINNESOTA-GUN AND TASER — How does an officer use a gun instead of a Taser?
GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICER-TRIAL — The defense for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death was set to start presenting its case, following 11 days of a prosecution narrative that combined wrenching video with clinical analysis by medical and use-of-force experts to condemn Derek Chauvin’s actions. By Amy Forliti, Steve Karnowski and Tammy Webber. SENT: 1,030 words, photos, videos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK — The Indian city of Pune is running out of ventilators as gasping coronavirus patients crowd its hospitals. Social media is full of people searching for beds, while relatives throng pharmacies looking for antiviral medicines that hospitals ran out of long ago. The surge, which can be seen across India, is particularly alarming because the country is a major vaccine producer and a critical supplier to the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative. By Sheikh Saaliq and Aniruddha Ghosal. SENT: 1,180 words, photos, graphic.
BIDEN-BIPARTISANSHIP — President Joe Biden has begun publicly courting Republicans to back his sweeping infrastructure plan, but his reach across the aisle is intended just as much to keep Democrats in line as it is a first step in an at uphill climb to any bipartisan deal. By Jonathan Lemire and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video. With BIDEN-INFRASTRUCTURE — Biden wants infrastructure deal, but GOP doubts persist.
CAPITOL LOCKDOWN-OFFICER KILLED — Slain Capitol Police officer William “Billy” Evans will lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda after he was killed on duty earlier this month, the second such memorial ceremony this year for a force that has edged close to crisis in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection. By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking. SENT: 830 words, photos. UPCOMING: 990 words after events begin at 10:30 a.m. With CAPITOL BREACH-SECURITY — What’s next as Congress ramps up investigations of Jan. 6.
RAMADAN — Muslims began marking Ramadan with communal prayers in a socially distanced contrast to the empty mosques of a year ago when Islam’s holiest month coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. By Niniek Karmini. SENT: 840 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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FILM-ARCLIGHT-THEATERS-CLOSE — California’s ArcLight and Pacific Theaters to close for good. SENT: 480 words, photos.
JAPAN-NINTENDO-BOOK — Late president’s book outlines vision for Japan’s Nintendo. SENT: 860 words, photos.
TOKYO-100-DAYS-PHOTO-GALLERY — Things starting to stir at Tokyo Olympic venues. SENT: 320 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-AUSTRALIA — The Australian government says it had decided against buying the single-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine and identified a second case of a rare blood clot likely linked to the AstraZeneca shot. SENT: 430 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICTS — The COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in gender-based violence last year and combatants continued to use sexual violence “as a cruel tactic of war” and political repression in a number of countries, the U.N. chief says. SENT: 680 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK–ONE-GOOD-THING–MIGRANT-HOTEL — Canary Islands hotel offers shelter to migrants in need. SENT: 900 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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UNITED STATES-IRAN — The attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility is casting a major shadow over the resumption of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran over possible resurrection of the 2015 international nuclear deal. By Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee. SENT: 750 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-EUROPE — Nearly a year after President Donald Trump ordered thousands of troops to leave Germany, capping a series of setbacks for U.S. relations with major allies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin begins an inaugural tour of Europe to shore up partnerships that are a cornerstone of the post-World War II order. By National Security Writer Robert Burns. SENT: 940 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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BRITAIN-PRINCE PHILIP-ARC OF THE CENTURY — Born into an age of revolutions, Prince Philip lived through a tumultuous century and witnessed many of its upheavals. UPCOMING: 1,040 words, photos by 4 a.m.
JAPAN-NUCLEAR-FUKUSHIMA-WATER — Japan’s government decided to start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years — an option fiercely opposed by fishermen, residents and Japan’s neighbors. By Mari Yamaguchi. SENT: 900 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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CHINA-TRADE — China’s exports rose 30.6% over a year ago in March as global consumer demand strengthened and traders watched for signs of what Biden might do about reviving tariff war talks with Beijing. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 470 words, photo.
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SPORTS
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TRADE DEADLINE-WINNERS — Sizing up how Stanley Cup contenders like Tampa Bay, Washington and Toronto fared at the trade deadline. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. SENT: 700 words, photos.
THIS TIME WITH FANS — Some of the 212 players who made their major league debuts in 2020 say they’re experiencing those debut jitters all over again as fans have been welcomed back to the ballpark. By Sports Writer Jake Seiner. SENT: 800 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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