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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ESTONIA-GLOBAL OPIOIDS — Estonia won its war on fentanyl in 2017, when police busted the tiny Baltic nation's major suppliers. But the trouble was just starting. Drug users who couldn't get fentanyl didn't go back to using heroin. Instead, they began using combinations of different synthetic drugs, including amphetamines and alpha-PVP. The shift in Estonia from plant-based drugs, like heroin, to synthetic ones, like fentanyl, can be seen elsewhere, including in the United States. That’s potentially bad news for Mexican poppy farmers and good news for unscrupulous chemists, and it could help cement China's role as key supplier in the global narcotics trade. By Erika Kinetz. UPCOMING: 1,700 words by 5 a.m., photos, video.
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TOP STORIES
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VIRUS OUTBREAK — U.S. deaths from the coronavirus pandemic top 1,000, in another grim milestone for a global outbreak that is taking lives and wreaking havoc on economies and established routines of ordinary life. By Jennifer Peltz and Colleen Long. SENT: 1,300 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE LATEST.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS — The Senate passes an unparalleled $2 trillion economic rescue package steering aid to businesses, workers and health care systems engulfed by the coronavirus pandemic. The measure, the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history, now heads to the House. By Andrew Taylor and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 1,370 words, photos, video, graphic. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CONGRESS-GLANCE — What’s in the bill.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-HOSPITAL BEDS — U.S. hospitals are rushing to find beds for a coming flood of COVID-19 patients, opening older closed hospitals and re-purposing other medical buildings. With total U.S. cases now doubling every three days, empty intensive care unit beds, needed by an estimated 5% of the sick, will rapidly fill. An AP analysis of federal hospital data finds more than 7 million people age 60 and older — those most at risk of severe COVID-19 illness — live in counties without ICU beds. By Carla K. Johnson and Nicky Forster. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-VALUE OF LIFE — President Donald Trump's desire to reopen the coronavirus-battered economy in a matter of weeks thrusts the administration into the delicate position of weighing the revival of commerce versus the value of American life. By Aamer Madhani, Laurie Kellman and Kevin Freking. SENT: 1,240 words, photos, video. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRUMP-EASTER — Trump's Easter goal in war on virus a nod to faith, business.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-THE DAILY BREAD — In France, the fight against COVID-19 is being waged one baguette at a time. The iconic loaf and the daily ritual of buying it have become loaded with moral, civic and public health considerations that could never have been guessed at before the new coronavirus turned life upside down. By John Leicester. SENT: 820 words, photos. Also see MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK below.
Find more all-format coverage on the Virus Outbreak featured topic page in AP Newsroom.
NEW ZEALAND-MOSQUE SHOOTINGS — The man who committed the worst atrocity in New Zealand's modern history when he slaughtered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges. By Nick Perry. SENT: 770 words, photos.
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MORE ON VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-LEBANON-ECONOMIC BLOW — The coronavirus pandemic has managed to do what various wars in Lebanon could not: Close bars, restaurants and entertainment spots across the tiny Mediterranean country. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LEGAL QUESTIONS — Growing numbers of Americans say state and federal governments are starting to trample civil rights in the name of public health during the coronavirus outbreak. By Legal Affairs Writer Michael Tarm. SENT: 990 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRAZIL-BOLSONARO — Brazil's governors are defying President Jair Bolsonaro over his call to reopen schools and businesses, dismissing his argument that the “cure” of widespread shutdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus is worse than the disease. SENT: 910 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-UTAH — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is suspending all temple activity due to concerns over the coronavirus. SENT: 340 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-MEXICO-POOR — The governor of a state in central Mexico is arguing that the poor are “immune” to the new coronavirus, even as the federal government suspends all nonessential government activities in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. SENT: 310 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.
A separate wire advisory has been sent detailing AP's complete coronavirus coverage.
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WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
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PEOPLE-WILL SMITH — Will Smith says he’s humbled by rapper’s tribute music video. SENT: 150 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-AMERICAN PRISONER — Navy vet freed from Iranian prison ill, seeks transfer to U.S. SENT: 230 words.
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WASHINGTON/ POLITICS
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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 running mate. SENT: 1,240 words, photos. With ELECTION 2020-BIDEN — Biden calls for “meticulous oversight" of virus aid package.
Find more coverage on the 2020 U.S. Elections featured topic page on APNewsroom.
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NATIONAL
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UNITED STATES-IRAN-LEVINSON — The U.S. government concludes that retired FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished more than a decade ago, died while in the custody of Iran, his family and administration officials say. SENT: 890 words, photo.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ABORTION — Planned Parenthood joins other abortion providers in suing Texas over moving to ban abortions during the coronavirus outbreak, including one clinic owner saying Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's weekend order has already resulted in more than 150 canceled appointments. SENT: 600 words, photos.
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BUSINESS
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FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian stocks were mixed after the U.S. Senate approved a proposed $2.2 trillion virus aid package following a delay over its details and sent the measure to the House of Representatives. By Business Writer Joe McDonald. SENT: 920 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-RESTARTING-THE-ECONOMY — Trump calls the country to open for business by mid-April, but some experts warn it's not as easy as flipping a switch: Economies run on confidence, and that is likely to be in short supply for as long as coronavirus cases in the United States are still rising. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-39 & HOLDING — Sprinters Justin Gatlin of the United States and Asafa Powell of Jamaica may be in their late 30s but they feel as youthful as ever and plan on competing at a high level. By Sports Writer Pat Graham. SENT: 880 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Jerome Minerva can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Wally Santana (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, Dien Magno (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.