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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TOP STORIES
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RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR — Ukraine said its forces struck and seriously damaged the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, dealing a potentially major setback to Moscow’s troops as they try to regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital. Russia said the entire crew of the Moskva, a warship that would typically have 500 sailors on board, was forced to evacuate after a fire overnight and also reported it was badly damaged. But it did not acknowledge any attack, which, in addition to any practical impact, would also deal a major blow to Russian prestige seven weeks into a war that is already widely seen as a historic blunder. By Adam Schreck. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, videos. With RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-THE LATEST.
RUSSIA-CRACKDOWN — Hundreds of Russians are facing charges for speaking out against the war in Ukraine since a law was passed last month that criminalizes the spread of “false information” about the invasion and disparaging the military. Human rights groups say the crackdown has led to criminal prosecutions and possible prison sentences for at least 23 people, with over 500 others facing misdemeanor cases that have either led to hefty fines or are expected to result in them. Among those facing charges was a priest who preached about the suffering of Ukrainians and a man who held up a sign with no words — just asterisks. SENT: 1,160 words, photos. Also see MORE ON RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR below. For full coverage.
MUSK-TWITTER — Elon Musk is offering to buy Twitter, just days after the Tesla CEO said he would no longer be joining the social media company’s board of directors. By Business Writer Michelle Chapman. SENT: 600 words, photo.
SUBWAY SHOOTING-SUSPECT — The suspect arrested in the Brooklyn subway shooting that left 10 people wounded by gunfire also left behind a trove of angry YouTube videos. Police were studying them for a possible motive. Frank James seemed to vent about nearly everything in his videos. Racism in America, his struggles with mental illness, New York City’s new mayor, 9/11, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Black women. By Michael Kunzelman, Michael R. Sisak and Bernard Condon. SENT: 1,110 words, photos. With SUBWAY SHOOTING — Brooklyn subway suspect tipped off police to his location; SUBWAY SHOOTING-GLANCE.
POLICE SHOOTING-MICHIGAN — A Black man face-down on the ground was fatally shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer, the violent climax of a traffic stop, brief foot chase and struggle over a stun gun, according to videos of the April 4 incident. Patrick Lyoya, 26, was killed outside a house in Grand Rapids. The white officer repeatedly ordered Lyoya to “let go” of his Taser, at one point demanding: “Drop the Taser!” By Anna Liz Nichols and Ed White. SENT: 870 words, photos, video. UPCOMING: News conference with civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Lyoya’s family scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
BIDEN-THINKING SMALL — President Joe Biden’s sweeping domestic agenda is on hold, so he is scrounging for ways to demonstrate that he’s still making progress for Americans. Biden’s team is betting that smaller, discrete announcements can break through to voters better than talk of transformational plans. By Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller. SENT: 870 words, photos. UPCOMING: 990 words after 2:15 p.m. speech.
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MORE ON RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
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FRANCE-ELECTION-UKRAINE — France may be many miles away from the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, but what happens in French voting stations this month could have repercussions there. SENT: 700 words, photos.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-GENOCIDE-EXPLAINER — Declaring any targeted campaign aimed at wiping out a group as genocide is not just a strong word — it’s a big deal, carrying unique obligations to act. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR-BIDEN-JUST SAY IT — Several times since the Ukraine war started, Biden has made remarks that are not in step with U.S. policy. In each case, the White House has said he is only “speaking from his heart.” SENT: 900 words, photos.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IMPACT — Russia’s war on Ukraine threatens to devastate the economies of many developing countries that are now facing even higher food and energy costs and increasingly difficult financial conditions, a U.N. task force warned. SENT: 730 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-KID BOOSTER — Pfizer said it wants to expand its COVID-19 booster shots to healthy elementary-age kids. By Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard. SENT: 390 words.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BRITAIN-VACCINE — British authorities have authorized a coronavirus vaccine for adults made by French drugmaker Valneva, despite the government’s decision last year to cancel an order for at least 100 million doses. SENT: 290 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-HONG KONG — Hong Kong will ease some social distancing measures later this month, allowing people to dine in at restaurants in the evening and lifting restrictions on private gatherings, as the number of COVID-19 infections declined in recent weeks. SENT: 310 words, photo.
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TRENDING NEWS
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SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-CUBA GOODING JR — Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleads guilty to forcible touching. SENT: 590 words, photos.
NORTH KOREA-NEWS ANCHOR — Kim gives North Korea’s most famous newscaster a luxury home. SENT: 710 words, photos.
VATICAN-HOLY THURSDAY — Pope marks Holy Thursday ahead of prison feet-washing ritual. SENT: 340 words, photos.
CALIFORNIA-GIRL MISTAKENLY SHOT — Police: Girl shot as California shop owner fires at thieves. SENT: 380 words, photos.
DEMOCRATIC DONOR-DRUG — Deaths Prosecutors seek life for political donor’s fatal fetish. SENT: 730 words.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TRAVEL — CDC extends travel mask requirement to May 3 as COVID rises. SENT: 790 words, photos.
MEADOWS-VOTER-REGISTRATION — Mark Meadows removed as North Carolina registered voter. SENT: 500 words, photo.
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ELECTION 2022
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ELECTION 2022-OHIO-GOVERNOR — Ohio’s Republican governor won high marks early in the pandemic with his stay-at-home mandates. But now Mike DeWine is facing backlash for those moves from his party’s far-right faithful as he runs for a second term. SENT: 870 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON
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CAPITOL RIOT-QUADRIPLEGIC LAWMAKER — After the Capitol riot, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island said he thought for a brief moment that the foolishness and recklessness of dividing the country would finally stop. That didn't happen, and it's one reason why Langevin is leaving Congress. SENT: 1,030 words, photos, video.
BIDEN-RACIAL EQUITY — The Biden administration is releasing hundreds of strategies it is taking or will take to boost racial equity across the federal government. SENT: 380 words, photo.
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NATIONAL
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WESTERN WILDFIRES — Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools. SENT: 720 words, photos.
TEXAS-BORDER DELAYS — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott defied intensifying pressure over his new border policy that has gridlocked trucks entering the U.S. and shut down some of the world’s busiest trade bridges as the Mexican government, businesses and even some allies urge him to relent. SENT: 860 words, photos, video.
CAPITOL RIOT-TRUMP DEFENSE — An Ohio man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol and stealing a coat rack testifies that he joined thousands of protesters in ransacking the building last year on what he thought were orders from the president, Donald Trump. SENT: 700 words, photo.
WESTERN WATER WOES — Federal water managers are scheduled to host a virtual meeting to share their annual operating plan for the Rio Grande, one of North America’s longest rivers. SENT: 800 words, photos. UPCOMING: Developing from 4 p.m. meeting.
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INTERNATIONAL
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ISRAEL-GAZA-TODDLER’S DEATH — The death of a 19-month-old girl in the Gaza Strip has shone a light on the struggles faced by Palestinians from the isolated territory who require urgent medical care. SENT: 1,090 words, photos.
RWANDA-HOTEL RWANDA-TRIAL — Rights activists and others are urging Rwandan authorities to free the man who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda,” saying his health is failing after an appeals court upheld his 25-year jail term for terror offenses. SENT: 620 words, photo.
IRAN-NUCLEAR — The United Nations atomic watchdog said it installed surveillance cameras to monitor a new centrifuge workshop at Iran’s underground Natanz site after a request from Tehran, even as diplomatic efforts to restore its tattered nuclear deal appear stalled. SENT: 470 words.
BANGLADESH-NEPAL-NEW YEAR — After a two-year break, thousands of people in Bangladesh and Nepal celebrated their respective new years with colorful processions and musical soirees as the coronavirus pandemic eased and life swung back to normal. SENT: 350 words, photos.
SRI LANKA-ECONOMIC CRISIS — Sri Lankans shared milk rice and oil cakes to celebrate their traditional new year opposite the president’s office, where they camped out for a sixth day demanding his resignation over the worst economic crisis in memory. SENT: 690 words, photos.
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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AFRICA-CLIMATE-DROUGHT — Agricultural workers in the east and Horn of Africa are preparing for their most severe drought in 40 years, as authorities warn that higher temperatures and less than normal rainfall was recorded by weather agencies in March and April this year. SENT: 620 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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FINANCIAL MARKETS — World shares were mostly higher after China indicated its central bank will ease reserve requirements for lenders to counter the blow to its economy from pandemic shutdowns in big cities like Shanghai. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 680 words, photos.
EUROPE ECONOMY — The head of the European Central Bank could drop more hints about when the bank will start raising interest rates, with pressure increasing to follow the United States, United Kingdom and other countries in taking a harder line to combat soaring consumer prices. SENT: 580 words, photos.
PRODUCER PRICES — Labor Department releases the Producer Price Index for March. By Economics Writer Paul Wiseman. UPCOMING: 130 words after 8:30 a.m. release, then updated.
RETAIL SALES — The Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for March. By Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio. UPCOMING: 130 words after 8:30 a.m. release, then updated.
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SPORTS
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STARS ON ICE — Stars on Ice returns after a two-year absence caused by the pandemic, and the 24-city tour includes Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen and pairs world champs Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier in the cast. By Sports Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 720 words, photos.
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