AP News Digest 3:30 a.m.

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

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People enjoy a day at the beach completely devoid of any other tourists amid the new coronavirus pandemic, in Varadero, Cuba, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Varadero, Cuba's iconic resort city is feeling the effects of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic with tourism at an all-time low. (AP PhotoRamon Espinosa)

Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

Father Felix Gkwabla Nyamadzi, a Catholic Priest from Ghana, disinfects an oxygen tank as his assistant Luis Ordinola looks on, in Punta Negra, Peru, Thursday, March 4, 2021. Father Felix collects donations, like oxygen tanks, medical supplies, food and other goods to help COVID-19 patients in need. (AP PhotoMartin Mejia)

VIRUS-OUTBREAK — America’s employers likely stepped up their hiring in February as confirmed viral cases declined, consumers spent big chunks of their government aid checks and the economy appeared to be sustaining a tentative recovery. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 620 words, photo. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.

Children bath as a non-governmental organization distributes donated food inside an occupied building that used to house a factory, amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP PhotoSilvia Izquierdo)

CHINA-CONGRESS — China’s No. 2 leader set a healthy economic growth target and vowed to make this nation self-reliant in technology amid tension with Washington and Europe over trade and human rights. By Joe McDonald. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. With CHINA-CONGRESS-DEFENSE-BUDGET — China boosts defense spending by 6.8% amid debt, pandemic; CHINA-CONGRESS-HONG-KONG — Pro-Beijing committee to elect some Hong Kong legislators.

Frank Driscoll, bottom, belays for David, last name not given, at Planet Granite climbing gym during the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco, Thursday, March 4, 2021. The gym opened today to allow ten percent capacity. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

CREIGHTON-MCDERMOTT-SUSPENDED — Creighton suspends Greg McDermott for “plantation” remark. SENT: 320 words, photos.

David, last name not given, bottom, belays for Frank Driscoll at Planet Granite climbing gym during the coronavirus pandemic in San Francisco, Thursday, March 4, 2021. The gym opened today to allow ten percent capacity. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)

CROATIA-SINKHOLES — Quake-ravaged part of Croatia sees gaping sinkholes emerge. SENT: 350 words, photos.

A nurse injects a woman with a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a mass vaccination campaign for people over age 60, in the San Miguelito neighborhood of Panama City, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP PhotoArnulfo Franco)

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Police raise a warning banner against supporters of activists outside a court in Hong Kong Thursday, March 4, 2021. A marathon court hearing for 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong charged with conspiracy to commit subversion enters its fourth day on Thursday, as the court deliberates over whether the defendants will be granted bail. (AP PhotoVincent Yu)

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-JAPAN — Japan’s government will extend a state of emergency in the Tokyo region for another two weeks because its medical systems are still strained by COVID-19 patients. SENT: 480 words, photos.

National Guard keep watch on the Capitol, Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Capitol Police say they have uncovered intelligence of a "possible plot" by a militia group to breach the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, nearly two months after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the iconic building to try to stop Congress from certifying now-President Joe Biden's victory. (AP PhotoJacquelyn Martin)

CAPITOL BREACH-THREAT — The acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police is appealing to congressional leaders to back her request to keep National Guard troops protecting the building and lawmakers for another two months. SENT: 1,090 words, photos, video.

The Capitol dome is seen beyond a perimeter security fence illuminated by a red traffic light before sunrise in Washington, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP PhotoCarolyn Kaster)

UNITED NATIONS-SYRIA-CHEMICAL WEAPONS — The United States accused Syrian President Bashar Assad and his close ally Russia of trying to block all efforts to hold Damascus accountable for using chemical weapons during attacks on civilians. SENT: 670 words.

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand attend a candle light vigil as they protest against the military coup in front of the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)

CALIFORNIA-HIGHWAY-CRASH — One of the 13 people killed when the SUV smuggling them into California hit a tractor-trailer was a 23-year-old woman who was fleeing violence in Guatemala for the hope of a better life, family members say. SENT: 630 words, photos.

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand participate in a candle light vigil gesture with a three-finger sign of resistance against the Myanmar military coup in front of the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, March 4, 2021. (AP PhotoSakchai Lalit)

FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares slipped after surging U.S. bond yields renewed pressure on high-flying technology companies. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 720 words, photo.

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Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.

VIRUS-OUTBREAK — America’s employers likely stepped up their hiring in February as confirmed viral cases declined, consumers spent big chunks of their government aid checks and the economy appeared to be sustaining a tentative recovery. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 620 words, photo. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.

CHINA-CONGRESS — China’s No. 2 leader set a healthy economic growth target and vowed to make this nation self-reliant in technology amid tension with Washington and Europe over trade and human rights. By Joe McDonald. SENT: 1,070 words, photos. With CHINA-CONGRESS-DEFENSE-BUDGET — China boosts defense spending by 6.8% amid debt, pandemic; CHINA-CONGRESS-HONG-KONG — Pro-Beijing committee to elect some Hong Kong legislators.

CREIGHTON-MCDERMOTT-SUSPENDED — Creighton suspends Greg McDermott for “plantation” remark. SENT: 320 words, photos.

CROATIA-SINKHOLES — Quake-ravaged part of Croatia sees gaping sinkholes emerge. SENT: 350 words, photos.

———————————————-

VIRUS-OUTBREAK-JAPAN — Japan’s government will extend a state of emergency in the Tokyo region for another two weeks because its medical systems are still strained by COVID-19 patients. SENT: 480 words, photos.

CAPITOL BREACH-THREAT — The acting chief of the U.S. Capitol Police is appealing to congressional leaders to back her request to keep National Guard troops protecting the building and lawmakers for another two months. SENT: 1,090 words, photos, video.

UNITED NATIONS-SYRIA-CHEMICAL WEAPONS — The United States accused Syrian President Bashar Assad and his close ally Russia of trying to block all efforts to hold Damascus accountable for using chemical weapons during attacks on civilians. SENT: 670 words.

CALIFORNIA-HIGHWAY-CRASH — One of the 13 people killed when the SUV smuggling them into California hit a tractor-trailer was a 23-year-old woman who was fleeing violence in Guatemala for the hope of a better life, family members say. SENT: 630 words, photos.

FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares slipped after surging U.S. bond yields renewed pressure on high-flying technology companies. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 720 words, photo.

CAPITOL BREACH-MUTUAL AID — Hundreds of emails, texts, photos and documents obtained by The Associated Press show how a patchwork of law enforcement agencies from all directions tried to support Washington, D.C., as protesters poured into town on Jan. 6. But a lack of coordination and inadequate planning left the U.S. Capitol vulnerable, resulting in a deadly and potentially avoidable breach. By Martha Mendoza and Juliet Linderman. SENT: 1,780 words, photos. An abridged version of 990 words is also available. Also see CAPITOL BREACH-THREAT below.

AP News Digest 3:30 a.m.

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