AP News Digest 2:05 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 in AP Newsroom.

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TOP STORIES

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IRAN — A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and other officials has apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 950 words, photos, video, audio. With IRAN-RAISI-GLANCE — Who is Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president whose helicopter suffered a ‘hard landing’ in foggy weather? (sent).

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS — An Israeli airstrike has killed 27 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting with Hamas raged across the north as Israel’s leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month. By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy and Joseph Krauss. SENT: 920 words, photos, videos, audio.

TRUMP-HUSH-MONEY-WHAT'S-AHEAD — Testimony in the hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to conclude in the coming days, putting the landmark case on track for jury deliberations that will determine whether it ends in a mistrial, an acquittal — or the first-ever felony conviction of a former American president. By Eric Tucker and Michael R. Sisak. SENT: 1,340 words, photos.

BIDEN — President Joe Biden has told Morehouse College graduates during his commencement speech that he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking. By Darlene Superville, Matt Brown and Bill Barrow. SENT: 970 words, photos, audio.

HAITI-FINDING-CLOSURE — Finding closure for loved ones killed by gangs on a relentless rampage through Haiti’s capital and beyond is growing harder day by day in a country where burial rituals are sacred and the dead venerated. Victims of gang violence are increasingly left to decay on the street because some areas are too dangerous for people to retrieve the bodies. By Dánica Coto. SENT: 830 words, photos.

SEXUAL-MISCONDUCT-DIDDY —Sean “Diddy” Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was “truly sorry” and his actions were “inexcusable.” By Andrew Dalton. SENT: 530 words, photos, video, audio.

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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

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CAMPUS-PROTESTS-THE-RECKONING — Colleges and universities have long been protected places for free expression without pressure or punishment. But protests over Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza in its hunt for Hamas after the Oct. 7 massacre have tested that ideal around the world. SENT: 1,080 words, photos. With ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-CAMPUS-PROTESTS — Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a new encampment at Drexel University (sent).

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-US-POLITICS — Elise Stefanik, a House Republican leader seen as a possible Donald Trump running mate, has delivered a speech before Israel’s parliament in which she criticized President Joe Biden’s approach to the war in Gaza. SENT: 290 words, photo.

SAUDI ARABIA-US — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss what the kingdom described as the “semi-final” version of a wide-ranging security agreement between the countries, a strategic deal that had been upended after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the Gaza Strip. SENT: 470 words, photo.

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — At least 11 people have been reported killed in attacks in Ukraine’s war-ravaged northeast as Russia pushed ahead with its renewed offensive. SENT: 410 words, photos, video, audio.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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GHANA-MOBILES-FOR-DEVELOPMENT — Internet-enabled phones can play a unique role in sub-Saharan Africa, where infrastructure and public services are among the world’s least developed. But despite growing mobile internet coverage on the continent of 1.3 billion people, just 25% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa currently have access. By Francis Kokutse and Jack Thompson. SENT: 980 words, photos, video.

MEXICO-BORDER-BIODIVERSITY — Botanists and citizen scientists armed with the iNaturalist app on their smartphones are recording the biodiversity along the U.S.-Mexico border. Called the Border Bioblitz, more than 1,000 volunteers are recording as many species as possible in May. By Julie Watson. SENT: 990 words, photos, video.

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MORE NEWS

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AFGHANISTAN-FLOODS — Heavy rains set off flash floods in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 84 people. SENT: 240 words, photos, video.

STEVE-BUSCEMI-ASSAULTED — The man charged with assaulting actor Steve Buscemi on a Midtown street has been held in jail on bond in New York, prosecutors say. SENT: 210 words, photo.

BLUE-ORIGIN-CREW-LAUNCH — America’s first Black astronaut candidate finally goes to space 60 years later on Bezos rocket. SENT: 370 words, photo.

FILM-BOX-OFFICE — John Krasinski’s ‘IF’ hits a box office nerve with $35 million debut. SENT: 770 words, photos.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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ELECTION 2024-ABORTION-FILIBUSTER — Many Democrats campaigning for the Senate this year say they support suspending the filibuster rule to pass nationwide abortion protections. Some warn that Republicans will do the same to impose a federal abortion ban if they win control of Congress in November. By Christine Fernando. SENT: 1,390 words, photos.

OREGON-DEMOCRATIC-PRIMARIES-CONGRESS — Two Democratic primaries for U.S. House seats in Oregon could help reveal whether the party’s voters are leaning more toward progressive or establishment factions in a critical presidential election year. SENT: 1,060 words, photos.

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NATIONAL

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CATHOLICS-PILGRIMAGE — A long-planned series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States this weekend, with pilgrims embarking on four routes before converging on Indianapolis in two months for a major gathering focusing on Eucharistic rites and devotions. SENT: 870 words, photos, audio.

SEVERE-WEATHER — Houston area residents affected by deadly storms last week that left at least seven dead are finally getting some good news as officials say they expected power to be restored to a majority of the hundreds of thousands still in the dark and without air conditioning amid hot and humid weather. By Juan A. Lozano. SENT: 550 words, photos, video, audio.

BANK-SHOOTING-FLORIDA-TRIAL — Zephen Xaver walked into a central Florida bank in 2019, fatally shot five women and then called police to tell them what he did. Now 12 jurors will decide whether the 27-year-old former prison guard trainee is sentenced to death or life without parole. SENT: 780 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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SLOVAKIA-PRIME-MINISTER — Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, remains in serious condition but has been given a positive prognosis, the defense minister says, four days after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt that has sent shockwaves across the deeply polarized European Union nation. SENT: 910 words, photos, video.

CONGO — Congo’s army says it “foiled a coup” and arrested the suspected perpetrators, including several foreigners, following a shootout between armed men in military uniform and guards of a close ally of Congo’s president that left three people dead in the capital, Kinshasa. SENT: 480 words, photo.

BRITAIN-ASSANGE-THINGS TO KNOW — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces what could be his final court hearing in England over whether he should be extradited to the United States to face spying charges. SENT: 870 words, photo.

FRANCE-NEW-CALEDONIA — Using armored vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces are working to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France. SENT: 540 words, photos.

DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC-ELECTION — Voters in the Dominican Republic are casting ballots in general elections likely to reinforce the government’s crackdown on its shared border with Haiti and the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the violence-stricken nation. SENT: 430 words, photos.

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BUSINESS

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INDONESIA-ELON-MUSK — Elon Musk has traveled to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation. SENT: 590 words, photo, video.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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CANNES-KEVIN-COSTNER — A month before Kevin Costner puts the first installment of his multi-chapter Western “Horizon: An American Saga” into theaters, the actor-director came to the Cannes Film Festival to unveil his self-financed passion project. SENT: 1,350 words, photos.

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SPORTS

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US CLASSIC — Simone Biles certainly looks ready for Paris with more than two months to go before the Olympic games begin, looking as dominant as ever at the U.S. Classic, posting an all-around score of 59.500, nearly two points clear of runner-up Shilese Jones. SENT: 440 words, photos.

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HOW TO REACH US

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At the Nerve Center, Vincent K. Willis 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 AP Newsroom. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.

Galatasaray's Lucas Torreira, left, slides for the ball against Fenerbahce's Fred, during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo)

Ground staff pull covers as the rain delayed the start of the Indian Premier League cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders in Guwahati, India, Sunday, May. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Manchester City's Phil Foden, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

second placed McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, left, celebrates on the podium with winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands after the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix race at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack in Imola, Italy, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan after President Raisi and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev inaugurated dam of Qiz Qalasi, or Castel of Girl in Azeri, Iran, Sunday, May 19, 2024. A helicopter carrying President Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. (Ali Hamed Haghdoust/IRNA via AP)

Jaime Torres, left, atop Seize The Grey, reacts after edging out Flavien Prat, center, atop Catching Freedom, and Brian Hernandez, Jr., right, atop Mystik Dan, to win the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Britain's Tyson Fury, left, and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk trade blows during their undisputed heavyweight world championship boxing fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Residents mounted on horse ride past fields charred by wildfires, in La Tuna, Veracruz state, Mexico, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia flashes a V hand sign accompanied by opposition leader Mariana Corina Machado, as he kicks off his campaign for the upcoming election, in La Victoria, Venezuela, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Supporters cheer for former President Donald Trump before he speaks at the National Rifle Association Convention, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a road during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, and calling for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Palestinians carry aid boxes after storming trucks loaded with humanitarian aid brought in through a new U.S.-built pier, at the beach road of Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, May 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Saher Alghorra)

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge on Friday rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to weigh a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Whitten said the wording the legislative council suggested is “packed with emotion and partisan meaning” and asked for what he called more “neutral” language. The measure aims to expand abortion access from 15 weeks to 24 weeks – the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

It would allow exemptions to save the woman’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. It would also prevent the state from adopting or enforcing laws that would forbid access to the procedure.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who is a co-chair of the legislative council, said the group will appeal the court’s decision to the state Supreme Court.

“The ruling is just plain wrong and clearly partisan,” said Toma, a Republican.

The State Supreme Court has until Aug. 27 to rule on the appeal for the language to be changed.

Aaron Thacker, communications director for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, noted that the final decision on the ballot itself remains in the air.

“There’s still a lot of scenarios at play," he said. "Even after the secretary certifies the signatures, the courts have to decide if counties can put it on the ballot or not."

Arizona for Abortion Access, the organization leading the ballot measure campaign, sued the council earlier this month over the suggested language and advocated for the term “fetus,” which the council rejected.

Attorney General Kris Mayes wrote in a motion to submit an amicus brief that “fetus" and “pregnancy” are both neutral terms that the council could adopt.

“It’s incredibly important to us that Arizona voters get to learn more about and weigh our measure in objective and accurate terminology,” said Dawn Penich, communications director for the abortion access group.

Democrats have centered abortion rights in their campaigns in this year’s elections. Organizers in five other states have also proposed similar measures that would codify abortion access in their state constitutions: Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota.

Arizona organizers submitted more than double the amount of signatures needed for the measure to appear on the ballot.

FILE - Arizona abortion-rights supporters deliver over 800,000 petition signatures to the capitol to get abortion rights on the November general election ballot July 3, 2024, in Phoenix. A judge on Friday, July 26, rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters will use to decide on a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)