AP News Digest 3:35 a.m.
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TOP STORIES
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TAIWAN-TRAIN ACCIDENT — A passenger train smashed into a vehicle on its tracks and partially derailed outside a rail tunnel in Taiwan killing at least 36 people and injuring dozens. Survivors climbed out windows and onto roofs to reach safety in Taiwan’s deadliest railway disaster. The crash occurred early on a public weekend, and Taiwan’s extensive rail system is popular with people avoiding treacherous mountainous roads. SENT: 540 words, photos.
BIDEN-INFRASTRUCTURE — President Joe Biden is setting about convincing America it needs his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, deputizing a five-member “jobs Cabinet” to help in the effort. But Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is vowing to oppose him “every step of the way.” By Josh Boak and Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 970 words, photos, video.
GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICER-TRIAL — A Minneapolis police supervisory sergeant who was on duty the night George Floyd died testified that he believes the officers who restrained Floyd could have ended it after he stopped resisting. David Pleoger noted that officers are trained to roll people on their side to help with their breathing after they have been restrained in the prone position. By Steve Karnowski, Amy Forliti and Tammy Webber. SENT: 1,030 words, photos, videos. With EXPLAINING-GEORGE-FLOYD-OFFICER-TRIAL-SPARK-OF-LIFE — How Floyd’s “spark of life" played out at trial.
IMMIGRATION-NEXT IN LINE? — Immigrants with Temporary Protected Status are pinning their hopes on an immigration overhaul bill making its way through Congress. There are more than 400,000 in the U.S. government program that lets people from certain disaster-stricken and war-ravaged countries work in the United States legally on a temporary but renewable basis. The House passed legislation giving them a shot at citizenship but its fate is uncertain in the Senate. By Amy Taxin, Jeff Roberson and Marcos Alemán. SENT: 1,580 words, photos, video. An abridged version of 950 words is also available.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ISRAEL-UNVACCINATED — The breakneck pace of Israel’s vaccination drive has made it a rare country able to return to much of its pre-pandemic routine. Bars and businesses, hotels and health clubs have all sprung back to life in recent weeks. While Israel provides a glimpse of what may be possible with high immunization rates, it also offers insight into the problems that lie ahead: Workplaces and schools are now grappling with what to do with those who refuse to get vaccinated. By Ilan Ben Zion. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ITALY-CRUISE-SHIPS — Italy may be in a strict coronavirus lockdown this Easter with travel restricted between regions and new quarantines imposed. But a few miles offshore, guests aboard the MSC Grandiosa cruise ship are shimmying to Latin music on deck and sipping cocktails by the pool. In one of the anomalies of lockdowns that have shuttered hotels and resorts around the world, the Grandiosa has been plying the Mediterranean Sea this winter with seven-night cruises, a lonely flag-bearer of the global cruise industry. By Maria Grazia Murru. SENT: 1,080 words, photos.
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WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
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JAIL-CUSTODY-DEATH-TEXAS — Seven Texas officers fired in jail inmate death investigation. SENT: 240 words.
IMMIGRATION-TODDLER-DROP-SNAPSHOT — A ghostly set of images, and a glimpse of border danger. SENT: 770 words, photos.
JILL-BIDEN — Jill Biden treats reporters to April Fools’ Day prank. SENT: 150 words, photos.
WESTMINSTER-DOG-SHOW-2022 — Westminster dog show to return to NYC in January 2022. SENT: 200 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-GOOD FRIDAY — Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday this year amid signs the coronavirus crisis is winding down, with religious sites open to limited numbers of faithful but none of the mass pilgrimages usually seen in the Holy Week leading up to Easter. SENT: 420 words, photos. With VIRUS-OUTBREAK-THE-LATEST.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-EUROPE-VACCINES — The European Union is struggling to show complete coronavirus vaccination solidarity among member nations, after a week of negotiations over the distribution of extra doses exposed fissures. SENT: 300 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-CHINA — A Chinese border city hit by a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 began a five-day drive to vaccinate its entire population of 300,000 people. SENT: 160 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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CYBERSECURITY-CRITICAL-SYSTEMS — A top Biden administration official says the government is undertaking a new effort to help electric utilities, water districts and other critical industries protect against potentially damaging cyberattacks. SENT: 700 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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MYANMAR — Myanmar’s wireless broadband internet services were shut down by order of the military, a local provider said, as protesters continued to defy the threat of lethal violence to oppose the junta’s takeover. SENT: 610 words, photo. With UNITED NATIONS-MYANMAR — U.N. condemns violence against Myanmar protesters and deaths.
KASHMIR — The machine guns peeking over parapets of small, sandbagged concrete bunkers and the heavy artillery cannons dug deep into Himalayan Kashmir’s rugged terrain have fallen silent. At least for now. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
MOZAMBIQUE-REBELS-EXPLAINER — The rebel attack on Mozambique’s northern town of Palma has highlighted the growth of the insurgency in the southern African country. SENT: 920 words, photos.
BANGLADESH-ROHINGYA-FIRE — A fire destroyed more than 20 shops in a makeshift market near a Rohingya refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, killing at least three people, police and witnesses say. SENT: 280 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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CALIFORNIA-OFFICE SHOOTING — A gunman who killed four people, including a 9-year-old boy, in a rampage at a Southern California office building knew all the victims and his motive may have involved personal or business relationships, police say. SENT: 590 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-JOBS-REPORT — With hopes rising for a powerful rebound in hiring this year, Friday’s jobs report for March will provide crucial insight into whether those rosy expectations may prove true. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 870 words, photo.
BIDEN-INFRASTRUCTURE-ELECTRIC-VEHICLES — Dangling tax credits and rebates in his drive to fight climate change, Biden wants you to trade your gas-burning car, truck or SUV for a zero-emissions electric vehicle. By Auto Writer Tom Krisher. SENT: 870 words, photos.
FINANCIAL-MARKETS — Asian shares were higher in listless trading after a broad rally pushed the S&P 500 past 4,000 points for the first time. By Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach. SENT: 610 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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MASTERS-DIFFERENT-COURSE — Considering how different Augusta National is in the spring than the fall, some newer players could feel like they're starting over. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. SENT: 850 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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